On April 10, 2025, the Swedish government included in its spring 2025 budget proposition a request to authorize a government-to-government agreement with Peru for the sale of up to 12 JAS 39 Gripen E/F multirole fighter aircraft and associated air defense systems. The request outlines Sweden’s intention to respond to a formal inquiry from the Peruvian government, which has stated its preference for such an intergovernmental agreement structure. If approved by the Riksdag, the Swedish Parliament, the Swedish state would be responsible for the procurement and delivery of the aircraft and systems, with the total costs expected to be covered by the revenues from the sale.
This proposed sale is part of a broader export strategy developed by Sweden and Saab AB to expand their defense industry presence in Latin America, as well as in Canada. Following Brazil’s ongoing Gripen E program and Colombia’s recent selection of the platform to replace its IAI Kfir fleet, Sweden is now seeking to position the Gripen as a competitive option in Peru’s fighter jet modernization effort. According to the official proposition, the government’s involvement aims to align with Peru’s procurement preferences while opening new markets for Swedish defense systems. The offer includes not only the fighter aircraft but also unspecified air defense systems, which may reflect a broader package tailored to meet the Peruvian Air Force’s operational needs.
In October 2024, Peruvian Defense Minister Walter Enrique Astudillo Chávez publicly confirmed plans to procure 24 new multirole fighters to replace the aging MiG-29 and Mirage 2000P fleets. The Gripen E/F is one of three shortlisted platforms, along with the Lockheed Martin F-16V Block 70 and the Dassault Rafale F4. To finance the acquisition of these new fighters, Peru has submitted a request for a loan of 7.58 billion soles (approximately USD 2 billion) from the Banco de la Nación. The funding would cover the first phase of the program, including the procurement of 12 aircraft, which corresponds to the proposed Swedish government-to-government sale.