Saab secures Gripen contract amid Colombian procurement dispute

Saab has secured a SEK 1.3 billion order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to develop a new generation flight control computer for the Gripen fighter aircraft. The project aims to provide a future-proof solution to ensure long-term availability, performance, and security of supply, with deliveries scheduled for 2030.

In a separate development regarding Gripen aircraft, a controversy has emerged in Colombia concerning payments made to Saab for the Colombian Air Force's acquisition of the jets. The Comptroller General of the Republic has announced potential cost overruns, alleging that a payment made in January 2026 used an exchange rate significantly higher than the official market rate, potentially affecting public funds by 2.13 billion pesos.

Former Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez has contested these claims, asserting that the operation actually optimized public resources. He stated that the payment was made at an exchange rate lower than the one originally budgeted, resulting in savings that could be redirected to other needs within the aircraft acquisition project.