Stronger than cocaine
Colombia strengthens central power by building ships and buying helicopters
Armed conflict with radical left-wing groups in Colombia is one of the longest on the planet - in 2014, 50 years have passed since the beginning of its active phase.
War, drug trafficking, social problems seriously complicate the development of the armed forces and the defense industry. However, Colombia not only successfully solves its internal problems and strengthens national security, but also prepares to enter the international arms market.
Official Armed Forces ...
The need to conduct combat operations against drug traffickers and radical left paramilitary groups determined the appearance of the armed forces of Colombia. At 2014, thousands of people served in 281,4 for a year, of whom thousands belonged to land forces (NE), 221,5 thousands to naval forces (Navy), and 46,15 thousands to air forces (Air Force). In addition, 13,75 thousands of people were members of various government paramilitary organizations that are periodically involved in combat missions. The reserve of the first echelon consists of thousands of 159 people (61,9 thousand are attributed to the Ground Forces, 54,7 thousand - to the Navy, 4,8 thousand - to the Air Force, another 1,2 thousand can be distributed among the arms and types of troops depending on the tasks).
The ground troops of Colombia are combined into one mechanized brigade (1-I brigade), 7 light infantry brigades (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8-I brigades), three separate mobile battalions of internal forces, one battalion of internal troops, one battalion of internal troops, one battalion of one battalion of internal troops, one battalion, one battalion, one battalion of internal troops. , one rapid reaction force grouping (a total of four battalions).
Army support is carried out by the army division aviation, brigade of engineering troops, brigade of electronic intelligence (RER) and combat (EW), two brigades of logistics and support. In 2014, the SV fleet included 222 reconnaissance vehicles (119 EE-9 Cascavel / Cascavel, 6 armored combat vehicles M8, 8 M8 with anti-tank missile systems Tou / Tow, 39 M1117, 50 VCL), 114 armored personnel carriers (28 M113A1, 26 M113A2, 56 EE-11 “Urutu” / Urutu, 4 BBM with mine protection class MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected) RG-31 “Nyala” (Nyala). Artillery support is provided by 121 towed 105 caliber gun and 155 millimeters and 589 mortars of calibers of 81, 107 and 120 millimeters.Anti-tank weapons consist of ATGM ATU, Israeli Spike-ER (Spike-ER) and French Apilas, as well as the M40A1 and M20 recoilless guns. 3 air defense systems (air defense systems) Skyguard / Sparrow and 39 anti-aircraft guns provide air defense (air defense). 21 transport aircraft are assigned to the army aviation. , 3 EW aircraft, 132 helicopters (21 Mi-17 multipurpose families and 111 military vehicles, including 55 rotary-wing aircraft of the UH-60 / S-70 Blackhawk family).
The Colombian Navy consists of four German-made diesel-electric submarines (2 submarines Type-209 / 1200 and 2 Type-206A, which are classified as Pijao and Intrepido, four class frigates Almirante Padiia, 49 patrol ships and coastal patrol ships, 13 amphibious ships, 20 support ships. Colombian naval aviation personnel - 146 man, and 14 planes (3 naval patrolmen, 1 aircraft) EW, 10 BTC) and 15 transport helicopters.
Colombia also has a Marine Corps (ILC) of 27 thousand people. It consists of a special-purpose brigade (it is in the process of formation), a separate special forces battalion, and two special groups of river patrols. The main line of the ILC is the 4 Marine Brigade (1 for maritime operations and 3 for river operations) and the 2 support brigade (one in formation). KMP has 8 armored personnel carriers BTR-80A and 20 mortars 81 millimeter.
Colombian Air Force personnel serve as part of the 1 Fighter, 6 Assault, 2 EW, 1 Marine Patrol, 3 Military Transport, 5 Training, 6 Helicopter Squadrons. The fleet of aircraft includes 88 aircraft and 99 helicopters. Another 62 aircraft and 60 helicopters are at the disposal of police units.
... and informal
Drug trafficking not only determines the criminal life of the country, but also has a serious impact on society. Therefore, the Colombian army pays special attention to the fight against it. The main drugs produced in Colombia are cocaine, marijuana and heroin. Production, transportation and distribution of drugs are concentrated in the hands of several paramilitary organized criminal groups (OCGs), designated as bandas criminales or BACRIM. These include Los Rastrojos (Los Rastrojos, 1200 – 1500 active members), Los Urabenos (Los Urabenos, 1200), Officeina de Envigado (Oficina de Envigado, almost destroyed in 2012 year), " Aguilas Negras ”(Aguilas Negras, 2000 – 4000),“ Block Meta ”(Bloque Meta, around 250). The remnants of several right-wing paramilitary groups, including the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia AUC (Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia), took part in the formation of the organized criminal group.
Until the end of the 90-s, the production and distribution of drugs in Colombia was distributed among four cartels - Medellinsky, the North Valley cartel, the North Coast cartel, the Cali cartel. The most famous of these was Medellinsky, headed by drug lord Pablo Escobar. All four cartels were almost destroyed by the beginning of the 2000s, and their remnants joined the bandas criminals. A distinctive feature of the period of activity of drug cartels is their significant penetration into the public life of Colombia. In particular, Pablo Escobar, who allocated significant sums for the construction of low-cost housing, hospitals, schools and stadiums, was the idol of lower social groups of Colombian youth at the end of 80, and in Medellin, he enjoyed considerable popularity .
Until now, radical left-wing paramilitary groups are active in Colombia, the most influential and numerous of which are the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - FARC-EP Army of the People (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - Ejercito del Pueblo). Despite the fact that the US State Department at the beginning of 2000-s entered FARC-EP into the list of terrorist organizations, its followers continue to consider themselves to be an armed Marxist-Leninist political party. FARC-EP is closely associated with the “bandas of criminals” and is actively involved in the production, distribution and sale of drugs both in Colombia and beyond. The number of FARC-EP in 2013 was estimated by experts at the level of 8 – 10 of thousands of people, of whom more than half actively participated in operations. The government of Colombia conducts peace negotiations with the organization, which is periodically violated by the rebels.
Another major paramilitary group of the left is the National Liberation Army ELN (Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional). The difference of its ideology from the professed FARC-EP consists in the combination of Marxist-Leninist ideas and Christian theology of liberation. This organization is recognized as a terrorist by both the United States and the European Union. As in the case of the FARC-EP, the main opponents of ELN are Colombian government forces and right-wing armed organizations. The number of ELN on 2013 year was estimated at the level of two or three thousand people, the percentage of active participants in the group is unknown. After cooperation, and then clashes with FARC-EP at the end of 1990-x and the beginning of 2000-s, the ELN leadership sent a letter to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia with a proposal for cooperation. At the moment, the process of combining groups is inhibited.
The third significant left-wing armed rebel organization is the EPL (Ejercito Popular de Liberacion) People’s Liberation Army. However, after the 1991 of the year, when a significant portion of its members were dissolved, the EPL essentially lost its significance. Today, the group has less than 200 active members.
On average, the annual losses of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies from the activities of terrorist organizations make up to 500 people killed and 1500 – 2000 wounded.
As of 2015 year, Colombian government forces have achieved significant success. In the world ranking of cocaine producers, Colombia dropped to third place, behind Peru and Bolivia. According to experts, the main thing in the fight against drug trafficking has been made: the production, transportation and sale of drugs have become decentralized. Large cartels disappeared, and instead of them, fragmented “gangs of criminals” appeared, often at war with each other and unable to organize the entire sales cycle. As for the radical left paramilitary groups, for them drug trafficking has ceased to be the largest source of income, as a result of which their activity has decreased. For example, in 2013, EPL spokesman Ramon Serrano said that the group had ceased to engage in drug trafficking. At the same time, it is necessary to understand that the fighting in the territory of Colombia, begun as early as 1964, has not ceased.
The Colombian military believes that the likely agreement with FARC-EP will allow them to focus on countering drug-related crime, illegal mining, and international-level OPG activities. In the fight against the latter, the experience gained by the military in the fight against FARC-EP is applicable. One of the most effective tactics is the transportation of special forces with inflatable boats using Mi-17 helicopters. Special Forces landed on the river below the target. In the case of air landing, parachute jumps from a low altitude or descent of fighters on a rope are effective.
In intelligence gathering, photographs taken from reconnaissance aircraft and satellite data provided by the United States, as well as information from disengaged FARC-EP and other insurgent groups, play a large role. Unmanned aerial vehicles are also involved in reconnaissance, in particular Hermes-450 (Hermes 450), Hermes-900 (Hermes 900), Scan Eagle (ScanEagle), RQ-11B Raven. Currently, a centralized control system is being developed to enhance the capabilities of the Hermes-900 UAV. According to the Colombian military, Drones used mainly to track the movements of insurgents.
The focus is the fleet
Colombia is gradually developing its national defense industry. It is assumed that the first short-range radar of national development will be demonstrated already in 2016 year. It is designed for placement on aircraft and ground equipment. Active work is underway in the field of various sensors.
One of the most important projects for the country is the UAV. Colombia is currently developing two projects in this area. UAVs greatly facilitate the fight against the rebels and the destruction of places of production of drugs.
It is assumed that the first product of Colombian defense exports will be patrol ships and river-class vessels produced by the state scientific and technological organization COTECMAR. According to its head, Rear Admiral Jorge Moreno, COTECMAR is strengthening its capabilities in the field of the Navy. The organization is currently focused on equipping the Colombian coast guard and the ILC with patrol vessels. The national naval forces include four frigates acquired abroad, but the company hopes to build ships of this class in Colombia. The issue of cooperation with foreign partners, including the Spanish Navantia (Navantia), with which a memorandum of understanding is signed, is being worked out. It is assumed that the first frigate of national production will be transferred to the Colombian Navy in 2025 year.
The Rear Admiral noted that the organization COTECMAR is not a production organization, but is responsible for the development of science and technology. The main share of COTECMAR, about 99 percent, belongs to the state. The list of members of the organization includes the Colombian Navy, the Ministry of Defense of the country, and a number of state universities.
According to Moreno, the work develops in three directions: the appearance of the ships, the study of the material part and the establishment of production, computer technology (including communications, control systems). COTECMAR includes three production clusters. The first is focused on construction in the interests of the Colombian Navy. The second is responsible for the repair and maintenance of warships, and the third is civilian. But all the clusters are combined, engaged in both defense and peaceful themes.
Since the founding of the organization COTECMAR with its participation produced 94 various ship, transferred mainly to the Colombian Navy. Part of the technology acquired Brazil to equip the national Navy and ground forces.
In Latin America, the river fleet plays a special role, Moreno stresses. Colombia is bordered by five states - Ecuador, Venezuela, Brazil, Panama and Peru, but at the same time there is a road connection with only the first two.
In the near future, Colombia should finalize its plans for the purchase of frigates under the PES program, which will take COTECMAR to a new level. The current requirement involves the supply of 8 ships of this class to the 2035 year, and the organization has already developed the basic concepts of the ship. It is assumed that the displacement of new frigates will be about 4 – 5 thousand tons, while the level of process automation is expected to be quite high. The procurement plan will be finalized by the end of 2015. And even if a foreign company will be involved in the program, the construction of frigates will still take place on the territory of Colombia.
One of the tasks of COTECMAR is the creation of coastal patrol ships. Two of these - ARC 20 "De Julio" (De Julio) and ARC 7 "De Agosto" (De Agosto) have already received the national naval forces. As expected, the third ship of this class will be transferred to the 2017 year. Construction was carried out in Colombia under the German license. For equipment selected Italian engines, Swedish electronics and radar. Spanish steel structures were used in the construction. Ships can be equipped with sensors for research. The project has a perspective on the market of naval equipment. For example, ships of this class are needed by Brazil to enhance the combat capabilities of the ground forces and navy.
Colombian naval forces acquired three CPV-46 patrol ships designed to protect coastal waters and combat drug trafficking. The first of these was launched in December 2014-th, only the 17 delivery of such ships is expected. Earlier, the Colombian Navy received one CPV-40 purchased in Germany. But we are aware of the intentions to develop our own ships of this class.
The national armed forces are also equipped with BDA landing craft (Buque de Desembarco Anfibio), the first of which was transferred to the Navy in 2014. The Rear Admiral informed about the existence of a contract for three such ships. Colombia will need eight BDAs to replace obsolete samples of a similar class.
COTECMAR conducts work in the area of small “green waters” ships. They are designed to fight insurgents and drug cartels on rivers, while larger “blue waters” ships are designed to perform combat missions on the high seas. The organization provided the construction of eight river patrol vessels PAF-P. COTECMAR can also build PAF-L 307 patrol boats and high-speed LPRs. At the moment, the Colombian Navy has received seven LPRs, nine are at different stages of production. Brazil acquired four LPR boats.
Rear Admiral Moreno believes that the COTECMAR development patrol ships can be in demand not only in Central and Latin America, but also in Africa, in Southeast Asia.
The achievements of the Colombian military-industrial complex will be presented at the international exhibition of weapons "Expodefens-2015" (Expodefensa 2015), which will be held from November 30 to December 2 in Bogota. According to Roberto Restrepo, director of international business development for the Colombian company - organizer of the Corferias exhibition (Corferias), the official delegation of our country, Rosoboronexport and the defense industry enterprises are invited to participate. The participation of India, China, South Africa, Great Britain, Germany, USA, Turkey, France, and South Korea is also expected in “Expodefens-2015”.
Russia has something to offer
Russia is gradually developing military-technical cooperation with Colombia, from 1991 to 2014, the year it has been supplied with an MPP for 172 million dollars. Such data are cited by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The largest volume of deliveries was reached in 1997, when Colombia received Russian-made MPPs for 68 million dollars. The latest deliveries according to SIPRI are dated 2009. Then their volume amounted to 34 million dollars.
From the MTC with Russia Colombia received 25 helicopters of Mi-8 / Mi-17 (10 Mi-17 to 1997-m, 6 Mi-17-1V - in 2002-m, 4 (presumably) Mi-17V-5 - in 2007 m, 5 Mi-17B-5 - in 2009-m). The 8 (tentatively) vehicle sets of the floating BTR-80 in a version adapted to the conditions of Latin America were supplied to the country for local assembly.
In 1991 – 2014, Bogota imported PPHs worth 3,031 billion dollars. Russia's share was 5,7 percent.
Colombia paid priority attention to the import of aircraft, the total value of which exceeded 2,17 billion dollars. The second place in the structure of defense imports of Bogota was occupied by ships (286 million dollars), the third - various sensors (274 million dollars). Next - missiles (109 million dollars), engines (86 million dollars), artillery (43 million dollars), armored vehicles (37 million dollars).
The greatest love of the Colombian military are Russian helicopters. According to the commander of the army aviation corps of the country's armed forces, Brigadier General Emiro Jimenez, special-purpose units fighting the drug traffic highly appreciate the combat qualities of the Mi-17: “These machines are one of the most important means of support in this type of operation.” The general emphasized the capacity of the Russian helicopter: “Mi-17В-5 can take on board up to 24 soldiers in full gear and quickly deliver them to the operation zone. This is very important for one of the key principles of warfare - fire superiority over the enemy. "
The Columbia Army Aviation Corps currently has a total of X-NUMX Mi-23 helicopters, including new modifications. “The Mi-17B-17 is one of the most efficient helicopters in the world. We are very pleased with him, ”Jimenez concluded.
In the future, Bogota can increase the number of helicopters in the national armed forces, said in turn the country's defense minister Juan Bueno. Probably, Russian transport and combat helicopters Mi-35 and their modifications will be in demand of Colombian military and police. They allow the landing of an airborne assault group and support it on the spot with fire. It was the combination of transport-landing and combat qualities that allowed the Mi-17 family of helicopters to win the love of the Colombian military. Perhaps the country will become the second after Brazil in the Latin American continent, applying the most modern modification of the legendary Mi-24.
Armed conflict with radical left-wing groups in Colombia is one of the longest on the planet - in 2014, 50 years have passed since the beginning of its active phase.
War, drug trafficking, social problems seriously complicate the development of the armed forces and the defense industry. However, Colombia not only successfully solves its internal problems and strengthens national security, but also prepares to enter the international arms market.
Official Armed Forces ...
The need to conduct combat operations against drug traffickers and radical left paramilitary groups determined the appearance of the armed forces of Colombia. At 2014, thousands of people served in 281,4 for a year, of whom thousands belonged to land forces (NE), 221,5 thousands to naval forces (Navy), and 46,15 thousands to air forces (Air Force). In addition, 13,75 thousands of people were members of various government paramilitary organizations that are periodically involved in combat missions. The reserve of the first echelon consists of thousands of 159 people (61,9 thousand are attributed to the Ground Forces, 54,7 thousand - to the Navy, 4,8 thousand - to the Air Force, another 1,2 thousand can be distributed among the arms and types of troops depending on the tasks).
The ground troops of Colombia are combined into one mechanized brigade (1-I brigade), 7 light infantry brigades (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8-I brigades), three separate mobile battalions of internal forces, one battalion of internal troops, one battalion of internal troops, one battalion of one battalion of internal troops, one battalion, one battalion, one battalion of internal troops. , one rapid reaction force grouping (a total of four battalions).
Army support is carried out by the army division aviation, brigade of engineering troops, brigade of electronic intelligence (RER) and combat (EW), two brigades of logistics and support. In 2014, the SV fleet included 222 reconnaissance vehicles (119 EE-9 Cascavel / Cascavel, 6 armored combat vehicles M8, 8 M8 with anti-tank missile systems Tou / Tow, 39 M1117, 50 VCL), 114 armored personnel carriers (28 M113A1, 26 M113A2, 56 EE-11 “Urutu” / Urutu, 4 BBM with mine protection class MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected) RG-31 “Nyala” (Nyala). Artillery support is provided by 121 towed 105 caliber gun and 155 millimeters and 589 mortars of calibers of 81, 107 and 120 millimeters.Anti-tank weapons consist of ATGM ATU, Israeli Spike-ER (Spike-ER) and French Apilas, as well as the M40A1 and M20 recoilless guns. 3 air defense systems (air defense systems) Skyguard / Sparrow and 39 anti-aircraft guns provide air defense (air defense). 21 transport aircraft are assigned to the army aviation. , 3 EW aircraft, 132 helicopters (21 Mi-17 multipurpose families and 111 military vehicles, including 55 rotary-wing aircraft of the UH-60 / S-70 Blackhawk family).
The Colombian Navy consists of four German-made diesel-electric submarines (2 submarines Type-209 / 1200 and 2 Type-206A, which are classified as Pijao and Intrepido, four class frigates Almirante Padiia, 49 patrol ships and coastal patrol ships, 13 amphibious ships, 20 support ships. Colombian naval aviation personnel - 146 man, and 14 planes (3 naval patrolmen, 1 aircraft) EW, 10 BTC) and 15 transport helicopters.
Colombia also has a Marine Corps (ILC) of 27 thousand people. It consists of a special-purpose brigade (it is in the process of formation), a separate special forces battalion, and two special groups of river patrols. The main line of the ILC is the 4 Marine Brigade (1 for maritime operations and 3 for river operations) and the 2 support brigade (one in formation). KMP has 8 armored personnel carriers BTR-80A and 20 mortars 81 millimeter.
Colombian Air Force personnel serve as part of the 1 Fighter, 6 Assault, 2 EW, 1 Marine Patrol, 3 Military Transport, 5 Training, 6 Helicopter Squadrons. The fleet of aircraft includes 88 aircraft and 99 helicopters. Another 62 aircraft and 60 helicopters are at the disposal of police units.
... and informal
Drug trafficking not only determines the criminal life of the country, but also has a serious impact on society. Therefore, the Colombian army pays special attention to the fight against it. The main drugs produced in Colombia are cocaine, marijuana and heroin. Production, transportation and distribution of drugs are concentrated in the hands of several paramilitary organized criminal groups (OCGs), designated as bandas criminales or BACRIM. These include Los Rastrojos (Los Rastrojos, 1200 – 1500 active members), Los Urabenos (Los Urabenos, 1200), Officeina de Envigado (Oficina de Envigado, almost destroyed in 2012 year), " Aguilas Negras ”(Aguilas Negras, 2000 – 4000),“ Block Meta ”(Bloque Meta, around 250). The remnants of several right-wing paramilitary groups, including the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia AUC (Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia), took part in the formation of the organized criminal group.
Until the end of the 90-s, the production and distribution of drugs in Colombia was distributed among four cartels - Medellinsky, the North Valley cartel, the North Coast cartel, the Cali cartel. The most famous of these was Medellinsky, headed by drug lord Pablo Escobar. All four cartels were almost destroyed by the beginning of the 2000s, and their remnants joined the bandas criminals. A distinctive feature of the period of activity of drug cartels is their significant penetration into the public life of Colombia. In particular, Pablo Escobar, who allocated significant sums for the construction of low-cost housing, hospitals, schools and stadiums, was the idol of lower social groups of Colombian youth at the end of 80, and in Medellin, he enjoyed considerable popularity .Until now, radical left-wing paramilitary groups are active in Colombia, the most influential and numerous of which are the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - FARC-EP Army of the People (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - Ejercito del Pueblo). Despite the fact that the US State Department at the beginning of 2000-s entered FARC-EP into the list of terrorist organizations, its followers continue to consider themselves to be an armed Marxist-Leninist political party. FARC-EP is closely associated with the “bandas of criminals” and is actively involved in the production, distribution and sale of drugs both in Colombia and beyond. The number of FARC-EP in 2013 was estimated by experts at the level of 8 – 10 of thousands of people, of whom more than half actively participated in operations. The government of Colombia conducts peace negotiations with the organization, which is periodically violated by the rebels.
Another major paramilitary group of the left is the National Liberation Army ELN (Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional). The difference of its ideology from the professed FARC-EP consists in the combination of Marxist-Leninist ideas and Christian theology of liberation. This organization is recognized as a terrorist by both the United States and the European Union. As in the case of the FARC-EP, the main opponents of ELN are Colombian government forces and right-wing armed organizations. The number of ELN on 2013 year was estimated at the level of two or three thousand people, the percentage of active participants in the group is unknown. After cooperation, and then clashes with FARC-EP at the end of 1990-x and the beginning of 2000-s, the ELN leadership sent a letter to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia with a proposal for cooperation. At the moment, the process of combining groups is inhibited.
The third significant left-wing armed rebel organization is the EPL (Ejercito Popular de Liberacion) People’s Liberation Army. However, after the 1991 of the year, when a significant portion of its members were dissolved, the EPL essentially lost its significance. Today, the group has less than 200 active members.
On average, the annual losses of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies from the activities of terrorist organizations make up to 500 people killed and 1500 – 2000 wounded.
As of 2015 year, Colombian government forces have achieved significant success. In the world ranking of cocaine producers, Colombia dropped to third place, behind Peru and Bolivia. According to experts, the main thing in the fight against drug trafficking has been made: the production, transportation and sale of drugs have become decentralized. Large cartels disappeared, and instead of them, fragmented “gangs of criminals” appeared, often at war with each other and unable to organize the entire sales cycle. As for the radical left paramilitary groups, for them drug trafficking has ceased to be the largest source of income, as a result of which their activity has decreased. For example, in 2013, EPL spokesman Ramon Serrano said that the group had ceased to engage in drug trafficking. At the same time, it is necessary to understand that the fighting in the territory of Colombia, begun as early as 1964, has not ceased.
The Colombian military believes that the likely agreement with FARC-EP will allow them to focus on countering drug-related crime, illegal mining, and international-level OPG activities. In the fight against the latter, the experience gained by the military in the fight against FARC-EP is applicable. One of the most effective tactics is the transportation of special forces with inflatable boats using Mi-17 helicopters. Special Forces landed on the river below the target. In the case of air landing, parachute jumps from a low altitude or descent of fighters on a rope are effective.
In intelligence gathering, photographs taken from reconnaissance aircraft and satellite data provided by the United States, as well as information from disengaged FARC-EP and other insurgent groups, play a large role. Unmanned aerial vehicles are also involved in reconnaissance, in particular Hermes-450 (Hermes 450), Hermes-900 (Hermes 900), Scan Eagle (ScanEagle), RQ-11B Raven. Currently, a centralized control system is being developed to enhance the capabilities of the Hermes-900 UAV. According to the Colombian military, Drones used mainly to track the movements of insurgents.
The focus is the fleet
Colombia is gradually developing its national defense industry. It is assumed that the first short-range radar of national development will be demonstrated already in 2016 year. It is designed for placement on aircraft and ground equipment. Active work is underway in the field of various sensors.
One of the most important projects for the country is the UAV. Colombia is currently developing two projects in this area. UAVs greatly facilitate the fight against the rebels and the destruction of places of production of drugs.It is assumed that the first product of Colombian defense exports will be patrol ships and river-class vessels produced by the state scientific and technological organization COTECMAR. According to its head, Rear Admiral Jorge Moreno, COTECMAR is strengthening its capabilities in the field of the Navy. The organization is currently focused on equipping the Colombian coast guard and the ILC with patrol vessels. The national naval forces include four frigates acquired abroad, but the company hopes to build ships of this class in Colombia. The issue of cooperation with foreign partners, including the Spanish Navantia (Navantia), with which a memorandum of understanding is signed, is being worked out. It is assumed that the first frigate of national production will be transferred to the Colombian Navy in 2025 year.
The Rear Admiral noted that the organization COTECMAR is not a production organization, but is responsible for the development of science and technology. The main share of COTECMAR, about 99 percent, belongs to the state. The list of members of the organization includes the Colombian Navy, the Ministry of Defense of the country, and a number of state universities.
According to Moreno, the work develops in three directions: the appearance of the ships, the study of the material part and the establishment of production, computer technology (including communications, control systems). COTECMAR includes three production clusters. The first is focused on construction in the interests of the Colombian Navy. The second is responsible for the repair and maintenance of warships, and the third is civilian. But all the clusters are combined, engaged in both defense and peaceful themes.
Since the founding of the organization COTECMAR with its participation produced 94 various ship, transferred mainly to the Colombian Navy. Part of the technology acquired Brazil to equip the national Navy and ground forces.
In Latin America, the river fleet plays a special role, Moreno stresses. Colombia is bordered by five states - Ecuador, Venezuela, Brazil, Panama and Peru, but at the same time there is a road connection with only the first two.
In the near future, Colombia should finalize its plans for the purchase of frigates under the PES program, which will take COTECMAR to a new level. The current requirement involves the supply of 8 ships of this class to the 2035 year, and the organization has already developed the basic concepts of the ship. It is assumed that the displacement of new frigates will be about 4 – 5 thousand tons, while the level of process automation is expected to be quite high. The procurement plan will be finalized by the end of 2015. And even if a foreign company will be involved in the program, the construction of frigates will still take place on the territory of Colombia.
One of the tasks of COTECMAR is the creation of coastal patrol ships. Two of these - ARC 20 "De Julio" (De Julio) and ARC 7 "De Agosto" (De Agosto) have already received the national naval forces. As expected, the third ship of this class will be transferred to the 2017 year. Construction was carried out in Colombia under the German license. For equipment selected Italian engines, Swedish electronics and radar. Spanish steel structures were used in the construction. Ships can be equipped with sensors for research. The project has a perspective on the market of naval equipment. For example, ships of this class are needed by Brazil to enhance the combat capabilities of the ground forces and navy.
Colombian naval forces acquired three CPV-46 patrol ships designed to protect coastal waters and combat drug trafficking. The first of these was launched in December 2014-th, only the 17 delivery of such ships is expected. Earlier, the Colombian Navy received one CPV-40 purchased in Germany. But we are aware of the intentions to develop our own ships of this class.
The national armed forces are also equipped with BDA landing craft (Buque de Desembarco Anfibio), the first of which was transferred to the Navy in 2014. The Rear Admiral informed about the existence of a contract for three such ships. Colombia will need eight BDAs to replace obsolete samples of a similar class.
COTECMAR conducts work in the area of small “green waters” ships. They are designed to fight insurgents and drug cartels on rivers, while larger “blue waters” ships are designed to perform combat missions on the high seas. The organization provided the construction of eight river patrol vessels PAF-P. COTECMAR can also build PAF-L 307 patrol boats and high-speed LPRs. At the moment, the Colombian Navy has received seven LPRs, nine are at different stages of production. Brazil acquired four LPR boats.
Rear Admiral Moreno believes that the COTECMAR development patrol ships can be in demand not only in Central and Latin America, but also in Africa, in Southeast Asia.
The achievements of the Colombian military-industrial complex will be presented at the international exhibition of weapons "Expodefens-2015" (Expodefensa 2015), which will be held from November 30 to December 2 in Bogota. According to Roberto Restrepo, director of international business development for the Colombian company - organizer of the Corferias exhibition (Corferias), the official delegation of our country, Rosoboronexport and the defense industry enterprises are invited to participate. The participation of India, China, South Africa, Great Britain, Germany, USA, Turkey, France, and South Korea is also expected in “Expodefens-2015”.
Russia has something to offer
Russia is gradually developing military-technical cooperation with Colombia, from 1991 to 2014, the year it has been supplied with an MPP for 172 million dollars. Such data are cited by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The largest volume of deliveries was reached in 1997, when Colombia received Russian-made MPPs for 68 million dollars. The latest deliveries according to SIPRI are dated 2009. Then their volume amounted to 34 million dollars.
From the MTC with Russia Colombia received 25 helicopters of Mi-8 / Mi-17 (10 Mi-17 to 1997-m, 6 Mi-17-1V - in 2002-m, 4 (presumably) Mi-17V-5 - in 2007 m, 5 Mi-17B-5 - in 2009-m). The 8 (tentatively) vehicle sets of the floating BTR-80 in a version adapted to the conditions of Latin America were supplied to the country for local assembly.
In 1991 – 2014, Bogota imported PPHs worth 3,031 billion dollars. Russia's share was 5,7 percent.
Colombia paid priority attention to the import of aircraft, the total value of which exceeded 2,17 billion dollars. The second place in the structure of defense imports of Bogota was occupied by ships (286 million dollars), the third - various sensors (274 million dollars). Next - missiles (109 million dollars), engines (86 million dollars), artillery (43 million dollars), armored vehicles (37 million dollars).
The greatest love of the Colombian military are Russian helicopters. According to the commander of the army aviation corps of the country's armed forces, Brigadier General Emiro Jimenez, special-purpose units fighting the drug traffic highly appreciate the combat qualities of the Mi-17: “These machines are one of the most important means of support in this type of operation.” The general emphasized the capacity of the Russian helicopter: “Mi-17В-5 can take on board up to 24 soldiers in full gear and quickly deliver them to the operation zone. This is very important for one of the key principles of warfare - fire superiority over the enemy. "
The Columbia Army Aviation Corps currently has a total of X-NUMX Mi-23 helicopters, including new modifications. “The Mi-17B-17 is one of the most efficient helicopters in the world. We are very pleased with him, ”Jimenez concluded.
In the future, Bogota can increase the number of helicopters in the national armed forces, said in turn the country's defense minister Juan Bueno. Probably, Russian transport and combat helicopters Mi-35 and their modifications will be in demand of Colombian military and police. They allow the landing of an airborne assault group and support it on the spot with fire. It was the combination of transport-landing and combat qualities that allowed the Mi-17 family of helicopters to win the love of the Colombian military. Perhaps the country will become the second after Brazil in the Latin American continent, applying the most modern modification of the legendary Mi-24.
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