Finance
Saab Presses on With Peru Fighter Campaign Despite Political Headwinds
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 25, 2026
3 min readLast updated: March 25, 2026
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Saab continues advocating its cost-efficient Gripen E/F fighter to Peru amid political instability—despite Peru’s initial selection of Gripen, emerging signs indicate a shift toward the US‐offered F‑16 Block 70.
Saab Continues Gripen Fighter Jet Campaign in Peru Despite Political Headwinds
Saab's Ongoing Efforts and Challenges in the Peruvian Defense Market
By Gabriel Araujo
GAVIAO PEIXOTO, Brazil, March 25 (Reuters) - Swedish defense firm Saab is pressing on with a campaign to sell its Gripen fighter jets to Peru despite political turbulence and signs the country was leaning toward the competing F-16 made by Lockheed Martin.
Saab Chief Executive Micael Johansson said on Wednesday the company had made a "cost-efficient and competitive" offer to Peru and was in close contact with the country's air force.
After a 2014 deal to sell 36 aircraft to Brazil, Saab has long viewed Peru as a potential Gripen customer alongside Colombia, which placed an order last year.
Political Instability and Its Impact on Defense Procurement
Presidential Turnover
"Since these decisions are on a political level, when things are a bit turbulent you may get sort of a pause or hibernation on the process," Johansson told reporters on the sidelines of an event introducing the first Gripen assembled in Brazil.
Since 2018, Peru has cycled through a rapid succession of presidents, exposing fissures between the executive branch and Congress.
Last month, Congress ousted President Jose Jeri over a corruption scandal only four months into his term and just before elections scheduled for April 12. Lawmaker Jose Balcazar has been serving as interim president.
Funding and Competition
Johansson said that Peru had taken decisions toward funding a fighter jet program.
"Now it's more about how do they launch it, and of course it's a competition, so they have to select. But we are still campaigning in Peru, definitely," the executive noted.
The U.S. State Department said last year it approved the potential sale of F-16 aircraft and related elements of logistics and program support to Peru in a deal estimated at $3.4 billion.
Peru's government said last week that the process had not yet concluded, following media reports it had selected the F-16.
Gripen Production and Future Plans
Production Sites and Export Strategy
Johansson said Saab did not expect to expand its Gripen manufacturing footprint significantly beyond its existing sites in Sweden and Brazil.
"I think Sweden, Brazil and maybe one more," he said. "If Canada selects to go dual-fleet and not only (Lockheed's) F-35, Canada might be that country."
The CEO reiterated Saab expects its production line at Brazilian planemaker Embraer's Gaviao Peixoto plant in Sao Paulo state to serve as an exporting hub.
Upcoming Two-Seat Gripen F Version
Johansson also said Saab plans to roll out the Gripen F, a two-seat version of the fighter, in Sweden in June.
(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Brad Haynes and Andrea Ricci)
Key Takeaways
- •Saab emphasizes its “cost‑efficient and competitive” Gripen bid and maintains close engagement with the Peruvian Air Force amid ongoing political turbulence (saab.com).
- •Peru initially selected the Gripen E/F in July 2025 under President Dina Boluarte—favoring lower costs and industrial offsets—but political upheaval has reopened the process (armyrecognition.com).
- •The US secured State Department approval in September 2025 for a possible $3.42 billion F‑16 Block 70 sale, and by early 2026 Peru appears to be leaning toward the F‑16 amid election‑timed strategic recalibration (dsca.mil).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Saab presses on with Peru fighter campaign despite political headwinds
1Why is Saab continuing its Gripen campaign in Peru?
Saab believes its Gripen offer is cost-efficient and remains in contact with Peru's air force, despite political instability in the country.
2Who are Saab's main competitors for the Peru fighter jet deal?
Lockheed Martin, with its F-16 fighter jets, is Saab's main competitor for the contract in Peru.
3Where is Saab assembling its Gripen fighter jets for export?
Saab assembles Gripen fighter jets at its sites in Sweden and Brazil, positioning Brazil as an export hub.
4What is the status of the F-16 deal between Peru and Lockheed Martin?
The U.S. approved the potential sale, but Peru's government stated that the selection process had not concluded.
