Two Jets, Two Camps: The Fighter Race Quietly Splitting South America
South American air forces are increasingly aligning with either the Swedish‑Brazil Gripen platform or the U.S.‑origin F‑16 fleet. Brazil and Colombia have placed orders for new Gripens, while Argentina and Peru have opted for F‑16s, reflecting political and industrial preferences. The competition is shaped by factors such as local assembly, engine supply constraints, and the region’s lack of recent inter‑state conflict.
- ▪Brazil ordered 36 Gripen jets and will assemble part of the fleet domestically, and Colombia signed for 17 Gripens worth about $3.4 billion.
- ▪Argentina purchased around two dozen second‑hand F‑16s from Denmark, and Peru reversed its earlier Gripen interest to acquire new‑build F‑16s.
- ▪The Gripen’s reliance on an American engine gives the United States a de‑facto veto over its export destinations.
- ▪Brazil now hosts the only Gripen final‑assembly line outside Sweden, turning its purchase into an export opportunity.
- ▪Despite the split, the region has not engaged in an inter‑state war since 1995 and most fighter fleets are considered outdated.
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Defense Monitor Brazil Two Jets, Two Camps: The Fighter Race Quietly Splitting South America By Lachlan Williams · June 26, 2026 · 11 min read Daily Brief The morning intel from across Latin America. Free. Subscribe By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy. We never share your email. Defense Key Facts —The split. South America’s air forces are dividing into two camps, one built around Sweden’s Gripen and Brazil’s Embraer, the other around America’s Lockheed Martin F-16. —Gripen camp. Brazil ordered 36 jets and assembles part of the fleet at home; Colombia signed for 17 in a deal worth roughly $3.4bn. —F-16 camp. Argentina bought two dozen second-hand jets from Denmark; Peru reversed course and chose new-build F-16s after first leaning toward the Gripen. —The hidden lever.
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