WASHINGTON — Colombia on Friday signed an agreement for 17 Gripen E/F fighter jets, with a value of €3.1 billion ($3.6 billion), according to a statement by Saab.

The deal covers 15 Gripen E one-seater aircraft, along with two Gripen F two-seaters and a host of equipment and weapons, the Swedish company announced. Delivery of the jets will take place between 2026 and 2032.

The decision to purchase the Gripen was made back in April, but the number of jets and total cost had not been decided. Saab beat out a US-backed offer of F-16 jets.

“I am honored that Colombia has chosen Gripen E/F to enhance its air defence capabilities and delighted to welcome Colombia into the Gripen family,” President and CEO of Saab Micael Johansson said in the statement. “This marks the beginning of a strong and long-term partnership that will strengthen Colombia’s defence and security, benefit its people, and boost the nation’s innovation power.”

Said Swedish defense minister Pal Jonson on X, “With the Colombian purchase of 17 Gripen E/F, our defence relations will deepen significantly & Colombia will receive one of the world’s greatest fighter jets.”

A translated statement from Colombian President Petro Gustavo, posted to X, included the notable line that “We are moving forward, and we must maintain this pace. At this pace, no one will dare to threaten us, neither from outside nor inside the country.” Petro has been engaged in a war of words with US President Donald Trump amidst a US military buildup in the region.

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The company statement also noted that the two sides have signed off on two industrial offset agreements, covering “a comprehensive industrial cooperation package that will benefit Colombia in areas including aeronautics, cyber security, health, sustainable energy and water purification technology.” Offsets are industrial trades that a company will offer up to a purchasing nation, and are sometimes required to close a deal.

Colombia now joins neighboring Brazil as an operator of the Swedish-made fighter. In addition to its 36 Gripens on order, Brazil is also home to an assembly plant for building the jets in country; it’s unclear if Colombia’s jets will also be built in Brazil.

Saab has been slowly building out the Gripen’s user base. In August, the company locked in a $550 million deal with Thailand to purchase four of the jets. And last month, Ukraine and Sweden reached a deal that will see the war-torn nation procure anywhere from 100 to 150 Gripen E fighters in the coming year. Meanwhile, there are ongoing talks with Peru as well.