Colombia has launched a $1.68 billion project to develop a "destructive drone shield" to protect the country from drone attacks operated by illegal armed groups. This information was announced by Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez on January 16 (local time).
According to Mr. Pedro Sanchez, Colombia is implementing one of the most bold and creative strategies in the field of national security and defense. The Colombian government has approved a budget of 271.1 million USD for the first phase of the project, showing determination to cope with the increasing threat from drone attacks.
Colombia has experienced internal armed conflict lasting about 6 decades, killing more than 450,000 people. The conflict in this South American country involves the military, police, left-wing guerrilla forces, criminal gangs formed from former right-wing paramilitary organizations and drug gangs.
In the period 2024 - 2025, Colombia recorded 264 attacks by unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with explosives. These incidents mainly occurred in dense forests and mountainous areas, where coca planting, the raw material for cocaine production, is concentrated. According to official figures, the attacks killed 15 soldiers and injured 153 others.
Colombian authorities blame the attacks on the guerrillas of the National Liberation Army (ELN) and separatist groups from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
A meeting with countries and businesses interested in the project was held in Bogota, but no details have been announced. Previously, Colombia signed a 3.1 billion euro deal with Swedish corporation Saab to buy 17 Gripen fighters for 5 years, showing the trend of strengthening the country's defense capabilities.
