Peru confirms purchase of 24 Swedish Gripen E/F fighter jets over French Rafale and US F-16

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1. >As reported by [**Peru21**](https://peru21.pe/investigacion/dina-boluarte-confirma-que-comprara-aviones-de-guerra-por-us3500-millones/) on July 2, 2025, the Peruvian government, under President Dina Boluarte, has confirmed its decision to acquire 24 [**Gripen E/F**](https://armyrecognition.com/military-products/air/fighter/gripen-jas-39) fighter jets from Swedish manufacturer Saab, at an estimated cost of $3.5 billion. The selection concludes a multi-year evaluation process involving various international manufacturers and marks the beginning of a two-phase procurement program to replace the aging fleets of Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 aircraft operated by the Fuerza Aérea del Perú (FAP). The first phase will be financed by a $2 billion domestic loan from Banco de la Nación already included in the 2025 national budget, while the second phase, valued at $1.5 billion, is scheduled for 2026.

   >The acquisition is part of the Ministry of Defense’s long-term plan to restore and expand operational airpower capabilities, and it follows the approval of the 2025 Debt Law by the Peruvian Congress. The decree of national interest authorizing the purchase is expected to be signed in the coming days, and the Swedish Minister of Defense, Pål Jonson, is scheduled to arrive in Peru on July 10, 2025, for a bilateral meeting with his Peruvian counterpart, Walter Astudillo Chávez, in a visit expected to finalize the intergovernmental agreement for the acquisition of these 24 Gripen E fighter jets. The Swedish delegation’s presence is regarded as a key step toward sealing the $3.5 billion deal, following extensive technical and political consultations between Saab and Peruvian authorities. While Saab representatives have confirmed they will not participate in the meeting due to its state-to-state nature, the visit is considered critical for formalizing the terms of defense cooperation and confirming the structure of technology transfer and offset commitments included in the proposed agreement. Notably, two Gripen E fighters will reportedly be exhibited with the support of the Brazilian Air Force during this visit.

   >Throughout June 2025, Saab representatives met with officials from the Ministry of Defense and the FAP in Lima, including FAP Commander General Carlos Chávez Cateriano and Director of Industrial and Social Offsets Víctor Pomar. These meetings focused on Saab’s proposed offset package, which includes investment commitments and technology transfer agreements, possibly extending into non-defense sectors. Saab previously carried out co-production projects in Peru through the SIMA shipyard and Swedish Docksta Shipyard, including four CB90-class patrol boats and a fifth vessel assembled locally from a Knock Down Kit. Saab has indicated that the offset package offered to Peru includes both direct and indirect investments. The two-seat Gripen F variant, developed primarily for Brazil, is not included in the package and remains in development. Saab has confirmed that no final contract or purchase order exists as of early July, although the company continues to work on the agreement.

   >The [**Gripen E**](https://armyrecognition.com/military-products/air/fighter/gripen-jas-39) was selected over competing offers from Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70 and Dassault’s Rafale F4. While the other contenders provided extensive combat history and interoperability with NATO forces, Saab’s proposal reportedly offered a lower unit cost, shorter delivery timeline, and more favorable offset terms. Public estimates place the Gripen’s unit cost between $110 million and $120 million, whereas the Rafale and F-16 were reportedly priced between $170 million and $240 million per aircraft. Saab’s estimated delivery time is 24 months from contract signature, compared to 60 months for the other offers. Peru has requested delivery of at least two aircraft by July 23, 2026, in time for the FAP’s anniversary. The final selection criteria included technical performance, cost, logistical considerations, and long-term strategic compatibility. The oversight of the procurement process is being handled by the Contraloría General de la República, and approval is required from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Defense, and the President.

2. > Public estimates place the Gripen’s unit cost between $110 million and $120 million, whereas the Rafale and F-16 were reportedly priced between $170 million and $240 million per aircraft

   In case of, absolutely do not, believe those nonsensical numbers those are very most likely based both on rafale deal with India including high amount of tech transfers and the american offer of f16 to philippines with the whole package and a big amount of weapons.

   Otherwise my comment from another post.

   >Fair enough, it’s understandable that for those countries money is complicated and that even if Rafale was way on top compared to Gripen that such parameters matters more, and SAAB is more aggressive than Dassault for tech transfers/making a dedicated production (probably more final assembly) for such a small amount of aircraft ordered, i don’t think any aircraft manufacturer do such things anyway, i would guess SAAB is not getting the same amount of money in profits because of it.

3. I wonder if Taco will be petty enough to punish Peru with a higher tariff because of this, it wouldn’t surprise me.

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5. The photo looks like this fighter jet is equipped for jousting competition. 😉

6. Hopefully not any with American engines or there might be issues…

7. Why does Peru need fighters?

8. Before Norway got 54 new F-35 fighters the only requirement was it should be the best airplane.

   in different computer models simulating war the F-35 won 100 out of 100 times against F-16 and saab.

9. $110 millions per Gripen, vs $170 millions per Rafales

10. Good for Saab, as long as countries buy european, i’m happy.

11. Great news for Peru – they will be getting an excellent plane.

12. This is the right time for the grippen.
    I feel like it might finally start winning lots of contracts now.

    If you don’t want some F35 or some Russian crap the n it has to be the rafale or the grippen.

    But if you need it fast, it can only be the grippen, rafales production lines are booked for the next 10 years or so.

13. Bro why though, just buy the American F-16, it’s clearly better and will be delivered faster. We bought 8 of them in 2016 and now ten whole years later, Lockheed have delivered 1 of them. In another 10 we might have 2!

    Irony aside, I bet Peru will recieve their Grippens before we recieve our F-16s.

14. Edit

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