Negotiations between Colombia, France’s Dassault Aviation, and Sweden’s Saab AB to replace part of Colombia’s aging air force fleet have fallen through, according to the country’s Defense Minister, Iván Velásquez.
William Coleman [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Velásquez explained that the manufacturers were not interested in an initial sale of three to five planes using the budget approved by the previous government, but instead wanted to negotiate for a total of 16 planes. The $678 million spending approval for the planes has also expired.
Velásquez stated that there will be continued efforts this year to see if a purchase is possible. Colombia had previously shortlisted a Dassault bid to sell 16 Rafale fighter planes for around $3 billion and consider bids from the U.S. and Sweden for F-16 and Gripen aircraft.
“The Government shortlisted the proposal submitted by the Government of France, for the acquisition of 16 Rafale aircraft,” the office of Colombia’s president said in a statement last month.
“At the time, the Rafale aircraft proposal was the best option for the country in relation to price, efficiency and operability. One hour of flight time in a Rafale aircraft was approximately 30% cheaper than one hour of flight time in a Kfir,” the statement added.
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