Colombia has shortlisted a French bid to sell 16 Rafale fighter planes to the South American nation for up to $3.15 billion, the Colombian government said on Wednesday.
Colombia wants to replace the Israeli-made Kfir aircraft it acquired in the late 1980s, and would use the new planes to defend its territory, fight organized crime and conduct aerial surveillance.
Aside from the French offer, Colombia considered two other bids from the United States and Sweden, which offered deals for F-16 and Gripen aircraft, respectively.
