BOGOTA— The Colombian National Army is in talks to acquire a short- and medium-range defense system in the development of its project to upgrade its air defense capabilities.

Photo credit: Rafael

In this regard, through the headquarters of the Strategic Planning Department [CEDE5], under the command of General Rudy Arias [with the support of Artillery General Alejandro Fuentes], the forces held talks last week with Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, anticipating a new meeting in the coming weeks to clarify details of a possible purchase.

For this, items worth approximately $ 200 million would be approved, to be able to be equipped with up to four batteries [with their corresponding equipment], the minimum systems needed if necessary to cover points considered strategic and identified as possible. interest.for hostile action by the Bolivarian Military Aviation of Venezuela.

Photo credit: Rafael

Raphael Spider

The Army intends to set up a system with short and medium-range capabilities [minimum 25 kilometers] after choosing the Spyder mobile defense system selected by the Air Assault Aviation Division [Davaa], without knowing the technical studies carried out for such purposes in A decision made during a visit made last November by a Colombian delegation led by Deputy Defense Minister Jairo Garcia to Israel is believed to be based on the interoperability of this model and defense relations between the two nations. as at that time sources from the Ministry of Defense informed Infodefensa.com.

However, the choice of this model caused discomfort in the ministry, as it would have been made without taking into account other offers – and principles such as pluralism, transparency, and economy – including the US, which proposed the Raytheon Technologies SLAmraam system HMMWV M1097A2, even second-hand; the French offer, with MBDA VL MICA; and offers from South Korea with the Lig Nex 1 M-SAM [Cheongung II] and Turkish, with the Aselsan Hisar-A system.

The army intends to carry out the acquisition process through the figure between the government before the next August 7, fund it for 20 years, and to equip itself with a system with sufficient coverage and airspace denial capabilities.