--- title: "Colombia demands review of Gripen fighter price: scandal over 3 billion euro contract" description: "🇨🇴 Colombia demands a review of the price for Gripen E/F fighters. New President Abelardo de la Espriella considers the 3.135 billion euro contract too expensive. 📉 Comparison with other countries shows a huge gap: Thailand pays ~138 million dollars per aircraft, Ukraine — 138.5 million euros. Colombia agreed to 184.4 million euros. 🇺🇸 The US may intervene in the deal due to American components in the fighters. ⚖️ The government conducted an audit and found no violations, but plans to review offset conditions rather than cancel the contract." date: 2026-08-15T20:07:55.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/colombia-demands-review-of-gripen-fighter-price tags: [colombia, saab, gripen, defense-industry, military-contracts] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Colombia demands review of Gripen fighter price: scandal over 3 billion euro contract ![Saab Gripen fighter jet in flight against clouds: Colombia demands review of 3 billion euro contract price](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/15/kolumbiya-peregovory-saab-gripen-cena/kolumbiya-peregovory-saab-gripen-cena-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Colombia intends to review the price of the contract for 17 Gripen E/F fighters due to inflated costs. - The price of 184.4 million euros per aircraft is significantly higher than that paid by Thailand and Ukraine. - The US government may become interested in the deal due to the presence of American components. - The contract will not be terminated, but the parties will negotiate regarding compensation. In August 2026, a serious political and economic dispute is unfolding in Colombia regarding an upcoming deal with the Swedish corporation Saab. The country's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, and his administration intend to review the terms of the contract for the supply of 17 JAS 39 Gripen E/F fighters, which is scheduled to be officially signed in November 2025. The main cause of the conflict is the inflated cost of the contract, which stands at 3.135 billion euros, according to Bogotá. ### Price gap and comparison with Thailand The key argument of the Colombian government, voiced in a publication by the newspaper El Espectador, is the discrepancy between the price and market realities. While Colombia agreed to a price of 184.4 million euros per aircraft, other countries are paying significantly less. In particular, in August 2025, Thailand ordered four Gripen fighters for 553 million dollars, which amounts to just 138.25 million dollars per unit. The price difference for Colombia is nearly 50 million euros per aircraft, making the contract economically unviable in its current configuration. ### Comparison with the Ukrainian contract and the role of the USA The situation is exacerbated by a comparison with the Ukrainian contract. In 2026, Ukraine purchased 16 of the newest Gripen E fighters at a price of 138.5 million euros each. It is important to note that the contract with Ukraine, totaling 2.2 billion euros, does not include full ground infrastructure, armaments, and services, as Sweden is providing military aid to the country as part of support against the Russian offensive. Colombia, however, lacking experience in operating these machines, requires full infrastructure, which, according to Saab, justifies the higher price. However, Bogotá believes that even taking this into account, the price is disproportionate. Furthermore, the publication suggests that the US government may be interested in investigating this deal, as the Gripen contains American components, and inflated pricing could violate international trade rules. ### Contradictory data The question of price fairness is causing sharp debates. On the one hand, Defense Express and Colombian authorities point to immediate criticism of the 184.4 million euro price, calling it a major scandal. On the other hand, Saab and supporters of the deal argue that the procurement process was transparent. The Colombian government has already conducted an internal audit and found no violations in pricing. Saab emphasizes that Colombia is a "clean slate" requiring a full ecosystem: from ground support systems to armaments, unlike Thailand or Ukraine, which have operational experience or receive infrastructure as part of military aid. ### Negotiation strategy: review, not cancellation Despite the scandal, Bogotá does not plan to terminate the contract. The strategy of the new leadership is to engage in tough negotiations to lower the price and change the offset conditions (mutual compensation). Colombia hopes to use the experience of other countries and pressure from the US to achieve terms close to those of Ukraine or Thailand. Negotiations are expected to be tense, as Saab has already confirmed the transparency of the process but is ready for dialogue to preserve the strategic contract with South America. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Colombia selects Gripen E/F as next fighter](https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/2025/04/colombia-selects-gripen-e-f-as-next-fighter/) - Основной источник информации о переговорах Колумбии и ценах. - [Ukraine Locks $2.5B Gripen E Deal: First AESA Radar Fighter as NATO Summit Looms](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/319691/20260704/ukraine-locks-25b-gripen-e-deal-first-aesa-radar-fighter-nato-summit-looms.htm) - Подтверждение цены контракта Украины для сравнения. - [What are the Gripen fighter jets Ukraine will buy from Sweden?](https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/what-are-the-gripen-fighter-jets-ukraine-will-buy-from-sweden) - Подтверждено по источнику straitstimes.com - [Brazilian Gripen E aircraft participate in first multi-national exercise outside the country](https://www.janes.com/defence-intelligence-insights/defence-news/security/brazilian-gripen-e-aircraft-participate-in-first-multi-national-exercise-outside-the-country) - Подтверждено по источнику janes.com ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Why is Colombia dissatisfied with the price of the Gripen? **A:** The price of 184.4 million euros per aircraft is significantly higher than that of other buyers, such as Thailand (138.25 million dollars) and Ukraine (138.5 million euros). ### Q: Does Colombia plan to cancel the contract? **A:** No, Bogotá does not plan to terminate the contract, but intends to review the price and compensation terms. ### Q: Can the US intervene? **A:** Yes, there is a possibility that the US will become interested in the deal due to the presence of American components in the fighters.