What You Need to Know: Sweden's Saab JAS-39 Gripen continues to expand its presence in South America, with Brazil increasing its original order by 25% and Saab offering the fighter to Colombia as a replacement for its aging Kfir fleet.

-Valued at $3.2 billion, the Colombian deal could further solidify the Gripen’s role in the region. Peru is also eyeing the Gripen to modernize its fleet, which includes Dassault Mirage 2000s and MiG-29s.

-Known for its versatility, low maintenance, and ability to operate from austere facilities, the Gripen is positioned as a cost-effective solution for South America's defense needs.

Sweden's Saab JAS-39 Gripen was designed to operate in Nordic conditions, but it has found favor with countries that rarely (if ever) see snow. The aircraft has been operated by the Royal Thai Air Force since 2016, and Bangkok announced earlier this year it would expand its fleet, ordering more than a dozen Gripen E/F models to replace its aging F-16 Fighting Falcons. In addition, Brazil, which adopted the JAS-39 in a 2014 deal and received the first of a planned 36 aircraft in 2019, announced that it would........

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