Colombia Signs New Defense Contract with Israel for Kfir Aircraft
• Colombia has signed a new defense contract with Israel for the maintenance of its obsolete Kfir fighter jet fleet.
• The deal, worth $7.2 million, was signed with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which will be responsible for servicing the aircraft.
• The aging Kfir jets, developed by Israel from a Mirage airframe, have reached historically low operational availability.
• Colombia is determined to keep its main fighter aircraft in optimal service condition to ensure robust air defense and counterinsurgency capabilities.
• The contract was signed at the end of last December, days after Colombia announced its pre-selection of Frenchman Dassault Rafale as Kfir’s replacement.
• The contract provides that IAI will perform scheduled and unscheduled Type I and II maintenance on the 19 Kfir AOCs.
• Colombia is also exploring several options to strengthen its air defense capabilities as the breaking of relations with Israel has jeopardized the capabilities of its air force.
• The Colombian Air Force is looking to renew its fighter jet fleet as the breaking of relations with Israel has jeopardized the capabilities of its air force.
