On June 12, 2024, an important protocol and state visit to Sweden began, during which President Petro along with high-ranking officials held meetings with Swedish authorities. The purpose of the visit was stated to be “world peace and the reaffirmation of what the Colombian president has said about ending all conflicts in the world.” Activities commenced with a visit to the Swedish parliament and meetings with King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and Marcus Wallenberg, the director of pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. Coinciding with this itinerary was the arrival of the training ship ARC Gloria, where a military ceremony was held.
Additionally, according to media reports, discussions were expected to include evaluation for the possible acquisition of Gripen fighters for the Colombian Air Force, particularly addressing the long-awaited decision on a new combat aircraft to replace the scheduled retirement of the Israeli-origin Kfir jets. In this article, we will analyze the real possibility of such a purchase being crucial for our air defense.
Back in December 2022, members of President Petro’s party, along with French government officials and representatives from Dassault Aviation, announced that the Rafale would replace the aging Kfir jets of the Colombian Air Force. This decision involved acquiring 16 aircraft at an estimated cost of up to 15 trillion Colombian pesos (around 3.15 billion dollars), prompting celebrations among many specialists and stakeholders, despite differing opinions on better alternatives. It seemed to conclude a lengthy saga of many chapters in initiating the scheduled replacement of the Kfir jets.
However, the subsequent reversal of this decision has sparked numerous speculations and analyses, resurrecting discussions around all potential candidates. In May, General Laura Richardson, Commander of the United States Southern Command, stated, “We await Colombia’s decision on replacing the Kfir. In our own military, we want to maintain the latest technology for our weapon systems and are ready to support whatever decision the Colombian government makes and how they want to proceed. Of course, I am in favor of the F-16 and its interoperability with NATO that the aircraft provides. We are available to support the Colombian government in their decision-making process,” renewing interest in Lockheed Martin’s proposal, which has been well explored by retired Colombian Air Force generals.
Now in June, the Saab Gripen has re-emerged as a leading candidate, albeit more due to speculation than concrete developments, coinciding with President Petro’s visit to Sweden. Initially speculated to include a visit to Linköping’s facilities, Laura Saravia, Director of the Administrative Department of the Presidency of the Republic, clarified, “It has always been a proposal on the table, still being studied by the national government. The Swedes have been involved in this,” while emphasizing that no decision would be made during the protocol visit to Sweden. The presence of the Air Force Commander on this journey is not unusual, as they typically accompany the president on such trips.
Furthermore, from a budgetary standpoint, the Compes, which projects and plans resources for significant state purchases, expired in December 2022. The Ministry of Finance has not yet allocated new funds or investment projects, indicating no assigned resources for the purchase of new fighters for the Colombian Air Force.
Given these reasons, it is unlikely that any decision regarding the acquisition of military equipment from Sweden will emerge from this trip. Therefore, we should prepare for the possibility that no decision will be made during this administration regarding the replacement of the Colombian Air Force’s Kfir jets.
You may also like: The Colombian government secures funds for the maintenance of the National Army’s Russian-made helicopters
