Peru confirms purchase of 24 Swedish Gripen E/F fighter jets over French Rafale and US F-16
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As reported by Peru21 on July 2, 2025, the Peruvian government, under President Dina Boluarte, has confirmed its decision to acquire 24 Gripen E/F fighter jets from Swedish manufacturer Saab, at an estimated cost of $3.5 billion. The selection concludes a multi-year evaluation process involving various international manufacturers and marks the beginning of a two-phase procurement program to replace the aging fleets of Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 aircraft operated by the Fuerza Aérea del Perú (FAP). The first phase will be financed by a $2 billion domestic loan from Banco de la Nación already included in the 2025 national budget, while the second phase, valued at $1.5 billion, is scheduled for 2026. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Swedish Gripen E was selected over the American F-16 Block 70 and French Rafale F4, by offering a lower unit cost, shorter delivery timeline, and more favorable offset terms. (Picture source: Swedish Air Force)
The acquisition is part of the Ministry of Defense’s long-term plan to restore and expand operational airpower capabilities, and it follows the approval of the 2025 Debt Law by the Peruvian Congress. The decree of national interest authorizing the purchase is expected to be signed in the coming days, and the Swedish Minister of Defense, Pål Jonson, is scheduled to arrive in Peru on July 10, 2025, for a bilateral meeting with his Peruvian counterpart, Walter Astudillo Chávez, in a visit expected to finalize the intergovernmental agreement for the acquisition of these 24 Gripen E fighter jets. The Swedish delegation’s presence is regarded as a key step toward sealing the $3.5 billion deal, following extensive technical and political consultations between Saab and Peruvian authorities. While Saab representatives have confirmed they will not participate in the meeting due to its state-to-state nature, the visit is considered critical for formalizing the terms of defense cooperation and confirming the structure of technology transfer and offset commitments included in the proposed agreement. Notably, two Gripen E fighters will reportedly be exhibited with the support of the Brazilian Air Force during this visit.
Throughout June 2025, Saab representatives met with officials from the Ministry of Defense and the FAP in Lima, including FAP Commander General Carlos Chávez Cateriano and Director of Industrial and Social Offsets Víctor Pomar. These meetings focused on Saab’s proposed offset package, which includes investment commitments and technology transfer agreements, possibly extending into non-defense sectors. Saab previously carried out co-production projects in Peru through the SIMA shipyard and Swedish Docksta Shipyard, including four CB90-class patrol boats and a fifth vessel assembled locally from a Knock Down Kit. Saab has indicated that the offset package offered to Peru includes both direct and indirect investments. The two-seat Gripen F variant, developed primarily for Brazil, is not included in the package and remains in development. Saab has confirmed that no final contract or purchase order exists as of early July, although the company continues to work on the agreement.
The Gripen E was selected over competing offers from Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70 and Dassault’s Rafale F4. While the other contenders provided extensive combat history and interoperability with NATO forces, Saab’s proposal reportedly offered a lower unit cost, shorter delivery timeline, and more favorable offset terms. Public estimates place the Gripen’s unit cost between $110 million and $120 million, whereas the Rafale and F-16 were reportedly priced between $170 million and $240 million per aircraft. Saab’s estimated delivery time is 24 months from contract signature, compared to 60 months for the other offers. Peru has requested delivery of at least two aircraft by July 23, 2026, in time for the FAP’s anniversary. The final selection criteria included technical performance, cost, logistical considerations, and long-term strategic compatibility. The oversight of the procurement process is being handled by the Contraloría General de la República, and approval is required from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Defense, and the President.
The Gripen E is a 4.5-generation multirole fighter equipped with Raven ES-05 AESA radar, a General Electric F414G engine, and an electronic warfare suite. It supports air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons, including Meteor, IRIS-T, AIM-9X, AGM-65 Maverick, GBU-series bombs, and Taurus KEPD 350. It has a 16,500 kg maximum takeoff weight, a combat radius of 1,303 km, and a ferry range of 4,000 km. The aircraft requires 500 meters for takeoff and 600 meters for landing. It also includes a 27 mm Mauser BK27 cannon and can conduct reconnaissance and electronic attack missions. Saab claims the aircraft has modular avionics and maintenance features that support rapid sortie generation. During the SITDEF 2025 defense exhibition in Lima, Saab showcased a full-scale model of the Gripen E with Brazilian markings and presented additional systems, including the RBS 70NG air defense system, Giraffe 1X and Sea Giraffe radars, and air traffic management tools. Although the complete package offered to Peru has not been disclosed, officials have confirmed it includes multiple platforms and training systems.
Peruvian critics within the defense sector have raised concerns about the Gripen E’s lack of combat experience, noting that while the Gripen C/D has been used for patrol and training missions, it has not been tested in high-intensity conflict. Questions have also emerged regarding whether some of the Peruvian Gripen units will be produced in Brazil, where Saab operates a production line with Embraer. While Saab has not confirmed this detail, Peruvian defense sources have expressed concern over potential logistical dependence on Brazil, especially under the current government led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Discussions in Colombia, which has also selected the Gripen E, included similar considerations about industrial cooperation and financing terms. If the contract proceeds, Peru would become the third Latin American country to operate the Gripen, following Brazil and Colombia. Brazil currently operates the aircraft under the designation F-39E and maintains a local production line. Colombia’s selection was confirmed in April 2025 after a presidential announcement and regional coordination efforts involving Swedish defense representatives.
The decision to modernize the fleet was announced in October 2024 by Defense Minister Walter Enrique Astudillo Chávez, who confirmed plans to procure 24 fighters to replace Mirage 2000P and MiG-29 aircraft. The Mirage 2000P fleet, originally acquired in 1986–1987, included 10 single-seat and 2 two-seat variants. As of April 2024, only six aircraft remained operational, with one lost in a training accident that month. The MiG-29 fleet, initially purchased from Belarus in 1998, includes upgraded SE and SMP variants, with eight aircraft reportedly in service and an additional 10 in storage. Additional attack platforms operated by the FAP include Su-25s and A-37 Dragonfly aircraft. Peru’s Mirage acquisition history is linked to earlier political controversy. The original 1982 deal was for 26 aircraft, later reduced to 12 by President Alan García. In 1993, allegations surfaced that the remaining 14 aircraft had been sold to a Middle Eastern country with official approval, leading to accusations of corruption. This background adds sensitivity to the current procurement process, which involves multiple layers of oversight and state-level coordination.
The Peruvian government has justified the Gripen purchase as part of a national security strategy. Retired General César Torres, who serves as Vice Minister of Defense Policy, emphasized the role of these aircraft in deterrence rather than immediate warfare. Some defense experts and retired officers have voiced concerns over whether manned fighter aircraft remain effective deterrents in light of evolving drone warfare. In a widely discussed opinion article, retired Colonel Jorge Gal’Lino argued that air superiority based on individual platforms is becoming obsolete, citing lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war. According to him, modern deterrence will increasingly rely on drone swarms and networked operations rather than traditional fighter capabilities. However, international comparisons show that regional powers such as Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia have all recently made major investments in modern fighter platforms. Proponents argue that the Gripen E represents a cost-effective and operationally flexible solution for the FAP in this evolving landscape.
The Gripen acquisition is part of a wider modernization effort by the Peruvian Armed Forces. This includes the procurement of two C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft from Leonardo and two Boeing 737s for cargo and government use. Additionally, the government has increased its defense budget for 2025 to 8,893.1 million soles (approximately $2.37 billion), representing a 2.8% increase from the previous year. These programs are taking place in parallel with a broader effort to diversify procurement sources and integrate local industry, as evidenced by Peru’s cooperation with South Korea on the KF-1 and KF-21 fighter programs. SEMAN Perú SAC is reportedly involved in component production, and the FAP’s earlier collaboration with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on KT-1P training aircraft may serve as a model for future co-production agreements. In the land and naval sectors, Peru has signed agreements with Hyundai Rotem for K2 tanks and with Hyundai Heavy Industries for a new submarine, alongside investment in SIMA Callao’s shipyard and the Naval Air Base at Callao. These acquisitions reflect a national policy to modernize across all service branches while maintaining sovereign industrial capabilities and strategic flexibility.
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As reported by Peru21 on July 2, 2025, the Peruvian government, under President Dina Boluarte, has confirmed its decision to acquire 24 Gripen E/F fighter jets from Swedish manufacturer Saab, at an estimated cost of $3.5 billion. The selection concludes a multi-year evaluation process involving various international manufacturers and marks the beginning of a two-phase procurement program to replace the aging fleets of Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 aircraft operated by the Fuerza Aérea del Perú (FAP). The first phase will be financed by a $2 billion domestic loan from Banco de la Nación already included in the 2025 national budget, while the second phase, valued at $1.5 billion, is scheduled for 2026.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Swedish Gripen E was selected over the American F-16 Block 70 and French Rafale F4, by offering a lower unit cost, shorter delivery timeline, and more favorable offset terms. (Picture source: Swedish Air Force)
The acquisition is part of the Ministry of Defense’s long-term plan to restore and expand operational airpower capabilities, and it follows the approval of the 2025 Debt Law by the Peruvian Congress. The decree of national interest authorizing the purchase is expected to be signed in the coming days, and the Swedish Minister of Defense, Pål Jonson, is scheduled to arrive in Peru on July 10, 2025, for a bilateral meeting with his Peruvian counterpart, Walter Astudillo Chávez, in a visit expected to finalize the intergovernmental agreement for the acquisition of these 24 Gripen E fighter jets. The Swedish delegation’s presence is regarded as a key step toward sealing the $3.5 billion deal, following extensive technical and political consultations between Saab and Peruvian authorities. While Saab representatives have confirmed they will not participate in the meeting due to its state-to-state nature, the visit is considered critical for formalizing the terms of defense cooperation and confirming the structure of technology transfer and offset commitments included in the proposed agreement. Notably, two Gripen E fighters will reportedly be exhibited with the support of the Brazilian Air Force during this visit.
Throughout June 2025, Saab representatives met with officials from the Ministry of Defense and the FAP in Lima, including FAP Commander General Carlos Chávez Cateriano and Director of Industrial and Social Offsets Víctor Pomar. These meetings focused on Saab’s proposed offset package, which includes investment commitments and technology transfer agreements, possibly extending into non-defense sectors. Saab previously carried out co-production projects in Peru through the SIMA shipyard and Swedish Docksta Shipyard, including four CB90-class patrol boats and a fifth vessel assembled locally from a Knock Down Kit. Saab has indicated that the offset package offered to Peru includes both direct and indirect investments. The two-seat Gripen F variant, developed primarily for Brazil, is not included in the package and remains in development. Saab has confirmed that no final contract or purchase order exists as of early July, although the company continues to work on the agreement.
The Gripen E was selected over competing offers from Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70 and Dassault’s Rafale F4. While the other contenders provided extensive combat history and interoperability with NATO forces, Saab’s proposal reportedly offered a lower unit cost, shorter delivery timeline, and more favorable offset terms. Public estimates place the Gripen’s unit cost between $110 million and $120 million, whereas the Rafale and F-16 were reportedly priced between $170 million and $240 million per aircraft. Saab’s estimated delivery time is 24 months from contract signature, compared to 60 months for the other offers. Peru has requested delivery of at least two aircraft by July 23, 2026, in time for the FAP’s anniversary. The final selection criteria included technical performance, cost, logistical considerations, and long-term strategic compatibility. The oversight of the procurement process is being handled by the Contraloría General de la República, and approval is required from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Defense, and the President.
The Gripen E is a 4.5-generation multirole fighter equipped with Raven ES-05 AESA radar, a General Electric F414G engine, and an electronic warfare suite. It supports air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons, including Meteor, IRIS-T, AIM-9X, AGM-65 Maverick, GBU-series bombs, and Taurus KEPD 350. It has a 16,500 kg maximum takeoff weight, a combat radius of 1,303 km, and a ferry range of 4,000 km. The aircraft requires 500 meters for takeoff and 600 meters for landing. It also includes a 27 mm Mauser BK27 cannon and can conduct reconnaissance and electronic attack missions. Saab claims the aircraft has modular avionics and maintenance features that support rapid sortie generation. During the SITDEF 2025 defense exhibition in Lima, Saab showcased a full-scale model of the Gripen E with Brazilian markings and presented additional systems, including the RBS 70NG air defense system, Giraffe 1X and Sea Giraffe radars, and air traffic management tools. Although the complete package offered to Peru has not been disclosed, officials have confirmed it includes multiple platforms and training systems.
Peruvian critics within the defense sector have raised concerns about the Gripen E’s lack of combat experience, noting that while the Gripen C/D has been used for patrol and training missions, it has not been tested in high-intensity conflict. Questions have also emerged regarding whether some of the Peruvian Gripen units will be produced in Brazil, where Saab operates a production line with Embraer. While Saab has not confirmed this detail, Peruvian defense sources have expressed concern over potential logistical dependence on Brazil, especially under the current government led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Discussions in Colombia, which has also selected the Gripen E, included similar considerations about industrial cooperation and financing terms. If the contract proceeds, Peru would become the third Latin American country to operate the Gripen, following Brazil and Colombia. Brazil currently operates the aircraft under the designation F-39E and maintains a local production line. Colombia’s selection was confirmed in April 2025 after a presidential announcement and regional coordination efforts involving Swedish defense representatives.
The decision to modernize the fleet was announced in October 2024 by Defense Minister Walter Enrique Astudillo Chávez, who confirmed plans to procure 24 fighters to replace Mirage 2000P and MiG-29 aircraft. The Mirage 2000P fleet, originally acquired in 1986–1987, included 10 single-seat and 2 two-seat variants. As of April 2024, only six aircraft remained operational, with one lost in a training accident that month. The MiG-29 fleet, initially purchased from Belarus in 1998, includes upgraded SE and SMP variants, with eight aircraft reportedly in service and an additional 10 in storage. Additional attack platforms operated by the FAP include Su-25s and A-37 Dragonfly aircraft. Peru’s Mirage acquisition history is linked to earlier political controversy. The original 1982 deal was for 26 aircraft, later reduced to 12 by President Alan García. In 1993, allegations surfaced that the remaining 14 aircraft had been sold to a Middle Eastern country with official approval, leading to accusations of corruption. This background adds sensitivity to the current procurement process, which involves multiple layers of oversight and state-level coordination.
The Peruvian government has justified the Gripen purchase as part of a national security strategy. Retired General César Torres, who serves as Vice Minister of Defense Policy, emphasized the role of these aircraft in deterrence rather than immediate warfare. Some defense experts and retired officers have voiced concerns over whether manned fighter aircraft remain effective deterrents in light of evolving drone warfare. In a widely discussed opinion article, retired Colonel Jorge Gal’Lino argued that air superiority based on individual platforms is becoming obsolete, citing lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war. According to him, modern deterrence will increasingly rely on drone swarms and networked operations rather than traditional fighter capabilities. However, international comparisons show that regional powers such as Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia have all recently made major investments in modern fighter platforms. Proponents argue that the Gripen E represents a cost-effective and operationally flexible solution for the FAP in this evolving landscape.
The Gripen acquisition is part of a wider modernization effort by the Peruvian Armed Forces. This includes the procurement of two C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft from Leonardo and two Boeing 737s for cargo and government use. Additionally, the government has increased its defense budget for 2025 to 8,893.1 million soles (approximately $2.37 billion), representing a 2.8% increase from the previous year. These programs are taking place in parallel with a broader effort to diversify procurement sources and integrate local industry, as evidenced by Peru’s cooperation with South Korea on the KF-1 and KF-21 fighter programs. SEMAN Perú SAC is reportedly involved in component production, and the FAP’s earlier collaboration with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on KT-1P training aircraft may serve as a model for future co-production agreements. In the land and naval sectors, Peru has signed agreements with Hyundai Rotem for K2 tanks and with Hyundai Heavy Industries for a new submarine, alongside investment in SIMA Callao’s shipyard and the Naval Air Base at Callao. These acquisitions reflect a national policy to modernize across all service branches while maintaining sovereign industrial capabilities and strategic flexibility.
