Colombia freezes Kfir replacement programme
The Colombian fleet of Kfir fighters is approaching obsolete status. (Photo: Colombian MoD)
Budget constraints have prompted new Colombian finance minister José Manuel Restrepo (in post since 3 May) to place on indefinite hold the long-awaited acquisition of new multirole fighters to replace the air force’s fleet of 23 ageing Kfir aircraft.
'What is a priority and what is not?… I can tell Colombians: for those planes there is no money, they are not a priority,' Restrepo explained to Colombian media outlet Blu Radio on 5 May, adding that the Kfir replacement programme is 'postponed indefinitely'.
Instead, the Colombian government is prioritising social programmes but time is running out before the Kfirs reach
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year
The counter-UAS prototype, named Low-cost Air Defence or ‘LOAD’, will be used to combat kamikaze UAS.
-
Taiwan receives first F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft
The aircraft is the first of 66 to be delivered to Taiwan from Lockheed Martin.
-
Boeing to remanufacture five more US Army MH-47G Block II Chinooks
The contract award, worth $240 million, is part of the ongoing effort by the US Army to modernise its Block II Chinook rotorcraft fleet.
-
Avalon 2025: RAAF looks beyond 10 years to when future deliveries may restart
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has been substantially refreshed in the past two decades including F-35A and F/A-18F fighter aircraft, as well as the addition of transport aircraft such as C-17s, C-130 variants and C-27Js. Additional aircraft may only be a medium-term prospect.
-
Avalon 2025: BAE Systems eyes customers for its Strix after initial flight
The Strix test effort suffered a setback last year when the prototype incurred minor damage in a hard landing during its second trial flight.