Colombia's Gripen deal raises questions beyond fighter jets

 

Park Sun-tae, former Peruvian diplomat, now honorary professor at National University of Truiilo.


 

Colombia’s recent decision to acquire 17 JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden’s Saab for €3.1 billion was officially framed as a long-overdue modernization of its aging Kfir fleet. Yet the controversy surrounding the deal suggests that the issue extends far beyond replacing obsolete aircraft. 

The Colombian government insists the selection process was transparent. Still, key details remain unclear. It is not publicly known whether the contract includes weapon systems, pilot and maintenance training, or long-term logistics support. Nor is it clear how infrastructure-related projects—such as water supply improvements or energy-transition initiatives reportedly linked to the deal—are structured or financed. 

This opacity has fueled confusion over the contract’s true value. While both the government and Saab cite a €3.1 billion figure, media reports converting the amount into U.S. dollars or Colombian pesos present significantly different totals. The lack of a clear breakdown has left the public questioning what exactly Colombia is paying for—and why. 

Unsurprisingly, the issue has spilled into the political arena. A presidential candidate has openly challenged the deal’s transparency, raising allegations of possible corruption and even calling for a U.S. investigation. Such reactions reflect not merely partisan posturing but a deeper erosion of public trust. As a result, the Gripen controversy is likely to outlive the current administration and resurface under the next government. 

Notably absent from the negotiations were South Korean fighter jets. This exclusion was not driven by technical deficiencies. Rather, Colombia appears to have prioritized immediate political and strategic calculations over historical military relationships—including South Korea’s participation in the Korean War, which once formed part of bilateral defense goodwill. 

Meanwhile, neighboring Peru is preparing to replace its own aging fighter fleet with up to 24 new aircraft, creating a potential opening for South Korea. Yet local reporting suggests Korean models are not currently a leading option, while Sweden’s Gripen continues to feature prominently in discussions. 

The implications are broader than any single procurement decision. Fighter jet exports are never purely commercial transactions. They involve diplomacy, industrial cooperation, long-term maintenance commitments, and—above all—political trust. In Latin America, where public scrutiny of defense spending is intense, transparency in contract structures is not optional; it is foundational. 

Colombia’s experience, coupled with Peru’s pending decision, presents a test for South Korea. Success in the region will require more than competitive aircraft or attractive pricing. It will demand a shift from a product-centered export strategy to one grounded in sustained relationships, institutional trust, and political credibility. 

Author’s Background
▲ Latin America expert (former diplomat, honorary professor at Trujillo National University)
▲ Global ambassador, National Railroad Corporation
▲ Director, Latin American Railroad Economic Research Institute

* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.