Saab set to miss out on major fighter jet deal

Saab may lose out on a contract worth approximately SEK 33 billion, as new reports suggest that Peru has chosen US-made F-16 fighter jets for the modernisation of its air force.

Peru is planning to modernise its air force, and Saab has long aimed to sell 24 Gripen aircraft to the country, at an estimated cost of around SEK 33 billion.

According to several media reports, Saab had been close to signing an agreement, including following Sweden’s decision to relocate its embassy from Bolivia to Peru and frequent visits to the country by representatives of the Wallenberg sphere.

On 26 March, Aerospace Global News reported that Peru was preparing to withdraw its earlier interest in the Gripen and instead double its order of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets. 

This followed earlier reporting by the outlet that the Gripen had long been considered the most likely choice, according to Dagens Industri.

On Tuesday, EFN wrote that Peru has chosen to proceed with the F-16 rather than the Gripen.

- We have taken note of the media reports regarding Peru’s choice of fighter aircraft. We have not received any official information indicating that Peru has decided to select another supplier. We are, of course, continuing to follow the process and remain confident that Gripen would be the best and most cost-effective fighter aircraft for Peru, Saab’s Head of Press, Mattias Rådström, wrote in an email to EFN.

According to information provided to Defensa.com, an official announcement was expected as early as Tuesday. However, as of 11:00 on Wednesday, Metal Supply had not seen any formal confirmation.

This article was first published by Defence Nordic's affiliate publication metal-supply.se.