Mexican Air Force Moves to Acquire New Fighter Jets

The Mexican Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Mexicana) is seeking to replace its aging fleet of ten 1982‑era fighter aircraft—of which only three remain operational—with twelve new combat jets by 2028. The most likely candidate is the Swedish‑built Saab Gripen, priced at about $100 million per unit, though the service is also evaluating Lockheed Martin F‑16s, Korea’s KAI FA‑50, and Italy’s M‑346. A budget of roughly 52.3 billion pesos has been approved for the acquisition. The procurement marks a policy shift under President Claudia Sheinbaum, who reversed a previous ban on aircraft purchases imposed by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The modernization effort follows reports that a third of the current fleet is grounded and highlights regional interest, with Brazil already operating Gripens, Colombia in the process of acquiring them, and Canada also considering the type.

The purchase aims to address safety concerns for personnel and enhance Mexico’s air‑defence capabilities, reflecting broader strategic and political changes within the country's defense establishment.