Nov 14 (Reuters) - Swedish defense firm Saab

said on Friday it has signed a contract worth 3.1 billion euros

($3.62 billion) with the Colombian government to deliver 17

Gripen fighter jets in the next five years.

Saab will deliver 15 Gripen E single-seat and two Gripen F

dual-seat fighter jets to Colombia and support military and

civilian projects under two offset agreements focused on

defense, technology and infrastructure.

The Gripen is a fourth-generation, single-engine supersonic

fighter jet built for versatility. Classified as a multi-role

aircraft, it is capable of executing air-to-air combat,

precision bombing and reconnaissance missions. The jet is widely

regarded as a cost-effective alternative to pricier

fifth-generation fighters like the F-35.

The commander of Colombia's Aerospace Force, Carlos Silva,

said in April that the country planned to buy 16 to 24 Gripens.

Colombia had a choice between the JAS 39 Gripen, French

Dassault-made Rafale, and U.S. firm Lockheed Martin's ( LMT )

F-16 jets.

Neighbor Brazil has already purchased 36 JAS 39 Gripen jets

from SAAB and built an assembly plant for the aircraft in the

country in partnership with SAAB.

($1 = 0.8575 euros)