At least three meetings held in recent weeks in the defense sector They keep the execution of one of the contracts under review of greater amount and impact for the defense of the country in order to renew the Kfir fleet: the purchase of the 17 Gripen fighter aircraftbusiness signed with the Swedish company Saab and whose value exceeds 3,100 million euros.
The meetings began after the new Government put the magnifying glass on the conditions in which the acquisition was structured. However, EL TIEMPO learned that The discussion would not aim to stop the arrival of the fighters nor to ignore the agreed obligations. The point that focuses part of the review today would be on the offsets that accompany the business and that in the previous administration were oriented towards energy, water and health projects.
This is the Gripen F, the combat aircraft that was presented in Sweden and that will arrive in Colombia Photo:Archive
Sources familiar with the conversations told this newspaper that the intention would be open a new negotiation with the Swedes to review the fate of some of those compensations. The proposal that would be analyzed is that part of the benefits planned for social projects can be translated into technology transfer and military capabilities for the Aerospace Force, at a time when the Government has increased the use of air power in operations against armed groups.
“The contracts have been reviewed, but they have really been given explanations and I think the only thing they are looking at is how to talk to the Swedes to propose again a negotiation of some terms. I think this refers more to the issue of offsets, which are compensations. For the rest, The contracts will continue to be fulfilled, I understand. as they are established, with the payments determined,” explained a source familiar with the process.
Three initiatives appear on the table. The first is related to energy solutions using solar panels and is, according to sources, the one that registers greater progress. The proposal seeks to bring this type of systems to populations located in non-interconnected areas and, for now, it would be the component that arouses the greatest interest in the current administration.
Gripen aircraft. Photo:Colombian Aerospace Force/Composition EL TIEMPO
Looking for technology
The discussion is different around the other two initiatives. One is related to water in La Guajira and the other to the San Juan de Dios Hospital. EL TIEMPO knew that The Government studies whether these components can be renegotiated so that a part of the compensation ends up represented in technological capabilities for military useinstead of continuing under the initially defined social orientation. Capabilities related to sensors, target identification and ground attack missions appear within the conversations.
A source with technical knowledge explained that the fighter jets require electro-optical systems that allow locating a target, tracking it, directing ammunition and keeping a record of the operation.
The discussion that is taking place aims to establish What technology will accompany the Gripen when they begin operating in Colombia and what additional capacities could be negotiated taking advantage of the contract compensations.
An aviation expert consulted by this newspaper pointed out that “on paper, the Gripen is the most suitable for Colombian needs“In his opinion, the underlying problem is having proposed the acquisition with a criterion that projects the use of aircraft for 30 or 40 years, when the technologies associated with aerial combat have increasingly shorter transformation cycles. From that perspective, the expert considers that Colombia could have opted for a transition similar to that adopted by Argentina: acquire second-hand, modernized aircraft and with an operational horizon close to 20 years.
The model of one of the 17 Gripen fighter aircraft. Photo:Private File
Contract in progress
Although the compensations are being reviewed, the information known to this newspaper shows that the main execution of the business continues. The contract was signed on November 14, 2025 by the Ministry of Defense and Saab and initially contemplated 16 aircraft, but finished with 17 Gripen E/F (15 single-seaters and two two-seaters). The package includes sensors, radars, self-protection equipment, weapons, logistical support, simulation and training systems.
One day before leaving Mindefensa, Pedro Sánchez explained to EL TIEMPO why the planned appropriations in pesos exceed the direct conversion of the contractual value in euros. “When you put it into pesos you can wonder why more resources were allocated. There is a margin for the exchange rate differentialin case the euro increases,” he said.
The financial size of the program appears recorded in Conpes 4155 of September 1, 2025which declared the project called ‘Strengthening aerial fires capabilities for national security and defense’ of strategic importance, aimed at the renewal of fighters.
The programming contemplates resources for 16.86 billion pesos between 2026 and 2032. By 2026, 100,000 million will appear; in 2027, about 3.09 billion; For 2028 and 2029, approximately 3.25 billion were programmed for each term; in 2030, 3.29 billion; in 2031, 2.18 trillion, and in 2032, 1.67 trillion pesos. The project, furthermore, It is already in the post-contractual stage.
Documents indicate that, after the signature of the main contract, the necessary activities to implement the new system began of air capacity. At the same time, negotiations are progressing between the National Planning Department (DNP), the Minhacienda, Defense and the FAC to structure the financing mechanisms that will support the payments.
One of the monitoring documents indicates that the structuring of the Conpes credit for the fighter aircraft system recorded a progress of 70 percent. With cut to June 30, 2026the document was being validated by the DNP Legal Advisory Office before continuing with the procedures.
Furthermore, in the draft General Budget of the Nation for 2027 It was stated that the acquisition contract will begin of air superiority aircraft. The document indicates that that year projects associated with strengthening the aerial fires capabilities of the FAC will continue.
Jesus Blanquicet
Justice Deputy Editor
