Reject F-16 and Rafale | Peruvian Air Force Buys Advanced SAAB Gripen E Fighter Jets from Sweden.

Описание: A major change in air defense strategy and a setback to French and American aerospace behemoths, Peru has revealed its intention to acquire 24 Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jets. The $3.5 billion purchase, which aims to update Peru's aged fleet of French Mirage 2000s and Soviet-era MiG-29s, defeated bids from Dassault for the Rafale F4 and Lockheed Martin for the F-16 Block 70.

Speaking at the Air Force installation, the president of Peru characterized the purchases as a pillar of both national prosperity and security. A formal agreement is anticipated to be signed during Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson's July 10 visit to Lima, following years of evaluation.

Fuerza Aérea del Perú [FAP], the Peruvian Air Force, now uses a combination of 20 Cessna A-37 Dragonfly light attack planes, eight MiG-29s, eight Su-25 ground attack aircraft, and eleven Mirage 2000P jets. The majority of these aircraft are outdated and have been in service for more than 40 years. This driving force prompted Peru to search for a cutting-edge multirole fighter jet that could handle a variety of threats, from ground support to air defense in the untamed Andes.

With a maximum speed of Mach 2.0 and a combat radius of roughly 800 miles, the Saab JAS 39 Gripen E is a 4.5-generation multirole fighter jet that produces 22,000 pounds of thrust thanks to a single General Electric F414G engine that was evolved from the F404 utilized in earlier Gripen models.

Fly-by-wire controls combined with its delta wing and canard layout guarantee outstanding maneuverability, making it ideal for a range of operating conditions in Peru, from coastal areas to the Andean highlands. Leonardo's Raven ES-05 Active Electronically Scanned Array [AESA] radar, which can detect and track numerous targets at a distance of more than 100 miles, has enhanced target detection and tracking capabilities.

There are important geopolitical ramifications to Peru's decision to select the Gripen E over rival American and French aircraft, especially for the US. With F-16s being utilized by air forces in Chile, Colombia, and Venezuela, Latin America has long been a significant market for US defense exports.

The Gripen E's adoption by Peru marks a change in the fighter aircraft market globally, especially in Latin America, where Saab is gaining ground. After Colombia decided in April 2025 to buy 16 to 24 Gripen E/F jets and Brazil ordered 36 in 2014, the Peru agreement is Saab's third significant regional victory in recent years.


The Saab Gripen E is a high-performance jet with low operating costs, quick delivery, and an appealing value proposition that can be customized to meet local requirements. As evidenced in Brazil and suggested in Peru, the company's readiness to make investments in domestic industry aligns with developing nations' priorities.

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