US F-16s "disillusioned" with conquering Colombian skies

The chances of the F-16 and Rafale ended when Colombian President Petro visited the cockpit of the Swedish-made Gripen E fighter jet.

Recently, at the F-AIR 2025 air show taking place from July 9-13, held at José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro (Colombia), two advanced aircraft were introduced, including the Saab JAS 39 Gripen E manufactured by Sweden and the Embraer KC-390 Millennium transport aircraft manufactured by Brazil.

In a symbolic move, Colombian President Gustavo Petro stepped into the cockpit of a Gripen E, showing strong political support for the upcoming deal to purchase the advanced fighter jets.

In addition, the Colombian Air Force has set its sights on replacing its aging fleet of Israeli-made Kfirs, which have been in service since the 1980s. After more than four decades, the fleet is struggling to meet modern requirements.

The signing of the contract for the purchase of Gripen E/F jets is expected to take place in September. This event also highlights Colombia's efforts to strengthen its air force amid regional tensions and increasingly complex internal security challenges.

In addition to President Petro, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson also attended the opening ceremony of the event, further emphasizing the strategic importance of the event, as Sweden strengthens its defense ties with Latin America.

Gripen E is a 4.5 generation multirole fighter with integrated AI systems, considered a leap forward for the Colombian Air Force. With advanced avionics and low operating costs, this fighter has emerged as the most promising candidate, in a competitive bidding process that will begin in 2024.

Equipped with a General Electric F414G engine providing 10 tons of thrust, allowing a maximum speed of nearly 2,500 km/h and a combat radius of about 1,300 km. The delta wing configuration, combined with a fly-by-wire control system, ensures exceptional maneuverability, making it suitable for the various operating environments of Colombia.

The Gripen E's primary armament consists of the Meteor long-range air-to-air missile with a range of over 160 km. In close-range engagements, the Gripen E uses the IRIS-T missile, which is capable of locking onto targets with infrared beams with high accuracy. The aircraft also supports air-to-ground missions with precision-guided munitions such as the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb.

Alongside the Gripen E fighter, the KC-390 Millennium is a twin-engine tactical transport aircraft that complements the Gripen E by meeting Colombia’s multi-role transport needs. With a cargo capacity of 26 tons, the KC-390 outperforms older platforms such as the C-130 Hercules, which Colombia currently operates.

The Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engine allows the aircraft to reach a cruising speed of 870 km/h and a range of 3,700 km with a full load. The KC-390 also excels in electronic intelligence, with systems to detect and jam enemy communications, enhancing the ability to counter Colombia's rebel network.

Defense Minister Iván Velásquez confirmed plans to sign the contract in September, with talks focused on the purchase of 16 to 24 aircraft. This fits into Colombia’s broader strategy to modernize its military, driven by the need to defend its airspace against regional rivals such as Venezuela, which operates Russian Su-30 fighters.

Colombia's decision to purchase the Gripen E and KC-390 comes after years of deliberation, and also signals a shift away from US dominance in defense procurement, opting for Swedish and Brazilian platforms as seen in Peru, when it rejected the F-16 and Rafale.

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