The desk of Laura Sarabia, Director of the Administrative Department of the Office of the President of Colombia (DAPRE), recently received an evaluation of the procurement of the army desired by the army (-> Armed Forces examines offer for M-346FA from Leonardo) light combat aircraft M-346FA from the Italian Italian manufacturer Leonardo.
COIN and Counter-Narco focus
This is not primarily about replacing the IAI Kfir C-10/12 supersonic component of the Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Colombiana, FAC) – although this is also pending – but about replacing the Cessna A-37B Dragonfly, which has already been decommissioned and is known from the Vietnam War. The fleet of 14 aircraft has been used repeatedly in the past in anti-drug operations, against FARC rebels and narco-cartels.
Leonardo originally supplied the Colombians with the M-346 in the light fighter variant (see video) because the system, which operates primarily in the subsonic range, seemed more practical and cheaper to the Italians for the Colombians’ so-called “COIN” missions. And if required, the M-346 can still reach a top speed of 1,255 km/h (Mach 1.15) and climb at around six kilometers per minute. However, now that competitor KAI has also achieved this with its TA/FA-50 (see video), Leonardo is now relying on the advanced sensor and targeting systems of the M-346FA in comparison. These could prove useful in the pursuit of small aircraft belonging to the drug cartels, and the lower speed of the model – compared to its South Korean competitor – could also be an advantage.
Intermediate solution or supersonic?
On the other hand, the FAC seems to prioritize securing new air superiority platforms. However, newly built supersonic jets cost three to four times as much as the M-346FA, which would probably place an undue burden on Colombia’s national budget. In 2023, the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita will be the equivalent of around 6,550 euros, while around 7,500 euros are forecast for this year (for comparison: in Austria, the GDP per capita is currently around 51,800 euros). For this reason, several of Colombia’s planned procurements have already come to nothing in the past.
A few days before the end of 2023, President Gustavo Petro publicly announced the imminent signing of a contract with Dassault Aviation . Obviously hastily, as the negotiations had not even been concluded and Bogotá only wanted to order three or four aircraft at the time and the French manufacturer refused to agree to such a small order. There are also repeated rumors about the Swedish arms manufacturer Saab which has been active in the country – following the procurement of Gripen E in neighboring Brazil (-> Next Gripen E arrives in Brazil) – is also said to have high hopes.
The financial challenges associated with the acquisition of modern fighter jets have led to heated debates within the Colombian Ministry of Defense. Some officials are in favor of the M-346FA as a cost-effective interim solution to close operational gaps that could arise from the imminent retirement of the IAI Kfir C-10/12 at the end of the year. Others, on the other hand, fear – as is often discussed in Austria – that a powerful combat trainer, in this case the FA-50, could jeopardize the desired future “spearhead”, as it is too close to the primary system. However, the Colombian Air Force emphasizes its strategic intention to maintain clear differences in the current and future fleet configurations, for example in the air-to-air role. Reference is made to Venezuela’s Su-30MKVs, which – like the entire Maduro regime – are in extremely poor condition and, according to Brazilian colleagues, are barely operational.
A Colombian newspaper writes: “The direction chosen will determine how strongly and with what commitment Colombia continues to fight drug trafficking and protect its sovereignty. A fleet of M-346FAs would change military tactics to focus on flexibility rather than raw power. This shift reflects a broader trend of nations adapting to modern threats while dealing with limited budgets.”
Click here for more news about Leonardo.
