Velásquez stated that the budget he got was USD678 million, which was enough for "three or four" Rafale. Colombian President Gustavo Petro clarified the process on his Twitter account; “the defence minister is talking about the purchase of planes for almost 650 million dollars was signed by the previous government. It has lost its legal force this December 31." Two weeks ago, on December 22, Colombian Defence Minister Velásquez announced that Colombia would acquire Rafale fighter jets from France as a replacement for its fleet of Israeli-made Kfirs, which will expire in 2023.

The French government offered the Rafale ex-French Air and Space Force (AAE), considering Colombia needed an aircraft quickly to replace the Kfir. France has followed the same policy to sell Rafales to Greece and Croatia. Colombia plans to buy 16 Rafales, consisting of 12 single-seat variants and 4 tandem-seat variants, worth a total of 3.2 billion USD.

Meanwhile, in Colombia, there is also a growing discourse to divert the planned purchase of the Rafale to Gripen offered by Saab, Sweden. It is said that the funds to buy 4 Rafales can be diverted for 6 Gripens. The Colombian government has not yet decided whether the Rafale purchase plan will continue or consider buying the Gripen. Colombia plans to buy 16 Rafales, consisting of 12 single-seat variants and 4 tandem-seat variants, worth a total of 3.2 billion USD.

Meanwhile, in Colombia, there is also a growing discourse to divert the planned purchase of the Rafale to Gripen offered by Saab, Sweden.It is said that the funds to buy 4 Rafales can be diverted for 6 Gripens.

The Colombian government has not yet made a final decision as to whether the Rafale purchase plan will continue or consider buying the Gripen.