The Colombian government’s recent decision to move forward with the acquisition of Saab Gripen fighter jets, manufactured by Swedish company Saab, has triggered a swift and aggressive response from the United States.
Washington is now vying for the rights to supply the aircraft, despite the lingering global economic uncertainties caused by tariffs imposed during Donald Trump’s presidency.
According to El Colombiano, U.S.-based defense contractor Lockheed Martin and French aerospace firm Dassault Aviation are preparing to present new counteroffers this week in an effort to block the negotiations Colombia has initiated with the Swedish manufacturer.
Last week, President Gustavo Petro announced Colombia’s intention to replace its aging fleet of Kfir fighter jets with the Saab Gripen.
The decision includes not only the purchase of the aircraft but also a broader package involving weapons systems, software development, and aerospace cooperation.
France and the U.S. Seek to Influence the Deal
The plan aims to modernize the Colombian Aerospace Force’s operational capabilities while strengthening the country’s tech industry through industrial development agreements.
This announcement has prompted strong reactions from both France and the United States, with France leading the charge by presenting a more ambitious offer.
Security and defense analyst Erich Saumeth, writing for Infodefensa.com, noted that the French proposal includes several advantages: extended financing terms, industrial offsets geared toward social investment, and the temporary loan of aircraft to Colombia’s air force while final units are being manufactured.
French Ambassador to Colombia Sylvain Itté told El Colombiano that this is more than a transactional sale.
“For France, this is not just about selling aircraft—it’s a long-term partnership with Colombia,” said Itté.
The French offer includes technological cooperation, specialized training, and the development of a domestic aerospace industry.
U.S. Seeks to Regain Ground
Meanwhile, American defense giant Lockheed Martin—manufacturer of the well-known F-16—has been preparing a counterproposal.
Although the offer has not yet been formally presented, it is expected to include technological components beyond the aircraft themselves.
However, diplomatic relations between Colombia and the United States have grown increasingly complex in recent years, particularly during Donald Trump’s two presidential terms.
It remains to be seen whether this negotiation process will help mend those ties or add further tension to the bilateral relationship.
Colombia at the Center of a Geopolitical Tug-of-War
With Sweden, France, and the United States now competing for the contract, Colombia finds itself at the heart of a geopolitical contest—one that could shape not only the future of its military modernization but also its broader international cooperation in defense, technology, and industrial development.
The Colombian government’s final decision will carry significant strategic and financial implications and could ultimately reshape the country’s global alliances in the medium to long term.