The negotiation for the replacement of the fleet Kfir fighter planes of the Colombian Air Force will apparently have a new round among the bidders, on behalf of a movement prepared by the US government.
The American offer has to do with the F-16 aircraft, from the manufacturing company Lockheed Martin, which has been on the table since 2012, although since the government of Ivan Duque ended and Gustavo Petro took office, lost relevance.
According to military sources, although these are powerful aircraft, their operation is complicated due to the restrictions usually imposed by the Pentagon. “The F-16s need some sort of authorization from the US Army Southern Command to deploy to certain territories and use their arsenal, while they have to report certain movements,” a source told this newspaper.
He added that “the Chilean Air Force has had some inconveniences due to these types of restrictions in the Pacific.”
This situation, the price of the aircraft and the political position of the current Colombian government, more favorable to European proposals, caused the F-16 to lose ground in the final negotiations. against Rafale (France), Eurofighter (Spain, Germany and the Netherlands) and Gripen (Sweden) aircraft.
However, the White House is not willing to give up such a business it could be around 15 billion pesos and it will apparently put a more interesting option on the table, which includes repowering second-hand planes most modern technology and the possibility of reducing delivery times, from four years to three.
Although some media have speculated about the prices, the truth is that the offer will be officially presented early next week.
It should be remembered that Colombia is seeking to replace its fleet of 24 air superiority fighter aircraft, acquired second-hand in the 1980s and 1990s and which are already reaching the point of obsolescence.
The decision will not only have military effects, but also political ones, as will be seen what a strategic ally He prefers the Nariño Palace for its defense system.
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Time.news Interview: The Future of Colombia’s Air Force Fleet
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we explore pressing global issues from a local perspective. Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Colonel Maria González, an expert in military aviation and defense policy. We’re here to dive into the recent developments concerning Colombia’s fighter aircraft negotiations, specifically the potential replacement of the Kfir fighter planes. Colonel González, thank you for joining us today!
Colonel González: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important topic for Colombia’s national defense.
Editor: Let’s start with the current situation. Can you explain what’s happening with the Kfir fighter planes and why there is a push for replacement?
Colonel González: Certainly. The Kfir fighter planes have been a key component of the Colombian Air Force, but they have limitations in terms of technology and capabilities compared to more modern aircraft. The need for advanced capabilities—especially against evolving threats—has prompted the discussion for their replacement.
Editor: And the U.S. has put forth the F-16 aircraft as a potential replacement. What are the strengths of the F-16 in this context?
Colonel González: The F-16 is a versatile and powerful multirole aircraft with a proven combat record. It offers advanced avionics, maneuverability, and the capacity to carry a wide range of weapons, making it suitable for various combat scenarios. It can significantly enhance Colombia’s air combat capabilities.
Editor: However, I understand that there are some complications with operating the F-16s, especially regarding U.S. restrictions. Can you elaborate on that?
Colonel González: Yes, the F-16s come with specific operational restrictions imposed by the U.S. government. For example, the Colombian Air Force would need to secure authorizations from the U.S. Southern Command for deploying these aircraft to certain areas or using their arsenal. This could limit their operational flexibility and decision-making in real-time situations.
Editor: That’s certainly a significant factor in the decision-making process. How do you see these restrictions affecting the negotiations?
Colonel González: The restrictions may make the offer less appealing to the Colombian government, especially if they want to maintain a degree of autonomy in their military operations. The debate will likely center around whether the advanced capabilities of the F-16 outweigh the operational limitations imposed by the U.S.
Editor: Since the new government under Gustavo Petro took office, the relevance of the F-16 offer seems to have diminished. What factors do you think contributed to this shift?
Colonel González: The Petro administration has a different defense philosophy, focusing more on dialogue and less on military confrontation. This could lead to a reassessment of defense priorities, including an evaluation of the need for advanced fighter jets versus investing in other areas such as social programs or intelligence capabilities.
Editor: Interesting perspective. What do you think the Colombian government should consider as it moves forward with these negotiations?
Colonel González: They should weigh the strategic implications carefully. Firstly, the security environment both domestically and regionally needs to be considered. Secondly, the sustainability of such aircraft, in terms of maintenance and operational costs, should also play a significant role in the decision. Lastly, fostering a degree of independence in military operations is vital for any sovereign nation.
Editor: Those are crucial points. As we wrap up, do you foresee any other contenders for the Kfir replacement besides the F-16?
Colonel González: It’s possible. Other countries may offer alternatives that better align with Colombia’s operational needs and autonomy considerations. There are several fighter aircraft options available in the market that could fit the bill. It will ultimately depend on the strategic priorities set by the Colombian leadership moving forward.
Editor: Thank you, Colonel González, for sharing your insights on this complex topic. It’s clear that replacing the Kfir fighter planes is not just about acquiring new technology, but also about navigating geopolitical dynamics and national priorities.
Colonel González: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure discussing Colombia’s air force future and the implications of these negotiations.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops. Until next time on Time.news.