Oliver Griffin / Colombia Reports, et al. – 2013-08-03 00:48:07
Colombia to deploy drones in fight against rebels and narcos
Colombia to Deploy Drones in Fight against Rebels and Narcos
Oliver Griffin / Colombia Reports
(July 24, 2013) — Colombia’s air force has announced that it will implement the use of drones in the armed forces’ fight against rebel groups and drug traffickers, local media reported Wednesday.
While drones have acquired an international notoriety, the most controversial aspect of their use in Colombia is the air force’s willingness to use them in big, heavily populated, cities. It is not yet known if the “urban drones” will be used solely as a detection tool or whether they will also have combat capabilities.
General Tinto Pinilla, commander of the Colombian air force, declared that the drones will not solely be used in war “but also natural disaster response, information recovery and border monitoring.”
Up to fifty drones have already been acquired from the UK, with more powerful drones to be supplied by the Israeli government.
In the future, the Colombian government expects to lower drone costs by producing its own unmanned aircraft that will also be more suited to the specific needs of the country.
In rural areas, one of the tasks that will fall to the drone teams is the protection of pipelines as well as preventing the destruction of important infrastructure. These have previously been targeted by both left-wing rebel groups FARC and ELN.
Drones have already been used in the country to combat the activities of drugs traffickers, supplied by the United States following a concerted effort between the two nations to increase security in the region.
Drones in Latin America
Just the Facts.org
(January 14, 2013) — The military use of robotics, especially unmanned aerial vehicles or “drones,” is growing worldwide, and Latin America is participating fully in the trend. Countries are purchasing drones, and even developing their own, for a variety of purposes. For the most part, they are doing so without US involvement.
Using secondary sources, WOLA Intern Anna Kroos put together this list of recent drone-related activity in the region.
Brazil:
“Brazil leads the way on global commercial drone boom”
John Otis / GlobalPost, January 6, 2013
Brazil, which spent $350 million for 14 Israeli drones in 2010 to monitor Amazon rainforest and border regions, “is now grappling with both the benefits and the Big Brother concerns.” For now, Brazil has suspended plans to use drones to monitor crime in favelas, due to air traffic control concerns.
“Brasil utiliza aviones no tripulados en la frontera”
La Razón (Bolivia), October 19, 2012
For the first time, the Brazilian air force used drones to patrol its border with Bolivia. Brazilian police used images provided by the UAV to intercept a suspicious vehicle that tried to run an army roadblock. Part of the larger Operation Agata VI operation, the UAVs assist 7,500 soldiers deployed to reinforce Brazil’s borders with Bolivia and Peru against drug trafficking and smuggling. The troops are deployed for two weeks.
“Por Primera vez Brasil usa aviones no tripulados para vigilar frontera con Bolivia”
Xinhua (China), October 19, 2012
The Brazilian air force used drones for the first time in a training mission near the border-zone town of Cáceres. Two drones were used in a training mission implemented by the Federal Highway Police as part of Operation Agata VI, a joint army, navy, and air force mission in which fighter jets, combat helicopters, patrol boats, soldiers, and now drones are used to patrol the Brazilian borders with Peru and Bolivia.
“Brasil utilizará mas aviones no tripulados en sus fronteras”
Agence France Presse, October 21, 2012
Brazil’s Minister of Defense, Celso Amorim, announced the end to Brazil’s two-week operation in which troops and drones were deployed along the Peruvian and Bolivian borders. The Minister reported the seizure of 1.1 tons of cocaine, 14 vehicles, 221 boats, and 8 arrests.
“Brazil Tests Drones to Monitor Rio Favelas”
Victoria Rossi / InsightCrime, Sept. 11, 2012
Brazil is trying out drones that could be used to track criminal activity in favelas. Drones, manufactured using Israeli technology, would be used to clear drug gang controlled favelas before the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. Brazil has also donated drones to Bolivia to help find illegal coca plantations.
“Brasil comenzara a operar aviones no tripulados desarollados en el pais”
Xinhua (China), July 25, 2012
Brazil is beginning to operate 4 drones that were developed and constructed by engineers from the Istituo Militare Ingenieria (IME). Three will be used for security, surveillance, and remote monitoring while one will be used for environmental surveillance. The drones cost Brazil 180,000 reales (US$90,000). They plan on selling the models to other countries.
“Argentina y Brasil quieren fabricar en conjunto avion no tripulado”
Associated Press, April 17, 2012
The foreign ministers of Argentina and Brazil are cooperating to produce drones to be used in the fight against drug trafficking and to protect borders. Using technology from Israel’s Elbit Systems, Brazil and Argentina will develop and sell drones.
Chile:
“Chile está fabricando aviones no tripulados”
El Sol (Mendoza, Argentina), November 27, 2012
The Chilean government announced that it will begin manufacturing drones, embarking on the next “generation of drones.” It plans to have 18 unmanned aircraft operational for the Chilean Air Force by March 2014. Authorities were reluctant to release this announcement, fearing that Peru and Bolivia will become threatened by this new tool of war.
The drones will be used for military objectives but also for the search and rescue of people, and a tool in aiding forest fires. Chile already has an aircraft purchased in 2010 from Israel.
“Chile se lanza a la carrera regional para fabricar aviones no tripulados”
Carlos Vergara / La Nación (Argentina), November 27, 2012
The Chilean military successfully tested the first drone developed in the country. It will be used for rescue tasks, monitoring rivers, volcanoes, and disasters. Funds are also being allocated for the development of 18 additional drones, operational by March 2014.
The government has handled the news discreetly given the controversy with the United States’ use of drones in the Middle East, in addition to Bolivia’s apprehension about a stronger Chilean military.
Though worry surrounds Chile’s new development, drones are becoming prominent in the region with Brazil’s purchase of 2 Hermes drones from Israel, and an expected 14 Heron to be completed before the World Cup and Olympics. Ecuador has 6 Heron, Venezuela 2 Iranian Mohajer. Possible legislation has been discussed that would force Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile to use drones only for peaceful purposes.
“Chile adquirió aviones no tripulados para vigilar frontera con Peru”
El Comercio (Peru), October 6, 2011
Chilean Minister of Defense Andrés Allamand confirmed Chile’s purchase of UAVs from Israeli company Elbit Systems. Allamand noted the drones will be used for border control, particularly on the Peruvian and Bolivian borders. They will be used to defend, but also to combat drug trafficking. Jorge Montoya, the former Chairman of the Peruvian joint chiefs, said this is important considering the drones’ ability to fly undetected and the ability to equip them with cameras and explosives.
Colombia:
“Colombia vende hasta aviones no tripulados”
Revista Dinero (Colombia), October 31, 2012
Brazil and some Central American and Caribbean countries have expressed interest in acquiring Colombian drones and technology. Juan Carlos Pinzon, Colombia’s minister of defense, made the announcement at Expodefense, an international security exhibition in Bogota drawing 100 domestic and foreign companies.
Previously, drones were only used to protect economic infrastructure, like pipelines; now they will be able to adapt to military attacks as well. Colombia first acquired drones from the United States in 2006 to help find 3 US citizen contractors held hostage by the FARC.
“Colombia celebra Expodefensa con ‘drones’ y radares en fase de constucion”
EFE, October 30, 2012
Expodefense, in its third year, brought in 67 international and 27 Colombian vendors in attempts to establish itself as a reference in Latin American defense technology. The exhibition provided the context for Colombia to announce its future use of drones for military.
Colombia’s security budget reflects this desire for development, with $14,426,000 allocated to defense and security. Colombia wishes to develop its drone technology similar to Korea’s and Israel’s development.
“Colombia to develop its own drone program to combat drug trafficking”
Fox News Latino, October 26, 2012
Colombia announced its intention to begin developing drones for military use. Up to this point, drones were used strictly for civilian missions like monitoring pipelines often attacked by FARC, hostage rescue efforts, and general surveillance. The government was vague on whether the drones are fully equipped for combat operations.
‘Drones’
Laura Gil / El Tiempo (Colombia), May 1, 2012
Noting the use of US drones in Colombia in 2006 for use in a US hostage situation, the article documents the recent use of the drones to gather information on FARC and to track drug traffickers. Moving from civilian use of drones to military use, Colombia looks to the Israeli firm Elbit to purchase $50 million armed Hermes 900.
“Colombia considers purchase of Israeli unmanned drones”
Marc Hall, Colombia Reports (Colombia), April 17, 2012
Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzón and Ehud Barak, Pinzon’s Israeli counterpart, met in April to discuss Colombia’s purchase of drones from Israel. Pinzón discussed the desire for drones as an effort to “continue strengthening the military capacity of Colombia.” The drones will be used to fight transnational crime.
“Israel estudiara la venta de aviones no tripulados a Colombia”
EFE, April 12, 2012
Pinzón and Barak are negotiating Colombia’s possible purchase of drones from Israel. Limitations and restrictions are being placed on the possible transaction. The two defense ministers are also working to create a “strategic dialogue, share information, share doctrine, and have a dialogue more permanent than a business relationship.”
“Colombia quiere aviones no tripulados en lucha contra las FARC”
Sergio Gomez Maseri, El Tiempo (Colombia), March 30, 2012
US and Colombian officials are negotiating Colombia’s attainment of drones and spy helicopters. Colombia justifies their need for drones as the quickest and most effective way to implement “Espada de Honor,” a strategy to combat FARC. Colombia wants 10 Black Hawk Helicopters and an uncertain number of drones. The US government is reluctant, and Colombian officials must convince Washington that the drones are necessary.
“WikiLeaks: Colombia began using US drones for counterterrorism in 2006”
Karen DeYoung, The Washington Post, March 23, 2011
The United States supplied Colombia surveillance drones for counterterrorism, then-US Ambassador to Colombia William B. Wood states in documents released by WikiLeaks. The drones were initially sent to support US hostage rescue efforts but the document noted that they could also be used to combat terrorists and interdict drugs on rivers.
Dominican Republic:
“Napolitano’s visit heralds drones over Dominican skies”
Dominican Today (Dominican Republic), July 16, 2012
Janet Napolitano, US secretary of homeland security, visited the Dominican Republic in July to sign an agreement allowing the Dominican Republic to use drones to track drug cartels who cross Dominican territory to transport drugs to Puerto Rico.
“RD tambien usara avion no tripulado contra narco”
El DÃa (Dominican Republic), July 4, 2012
The Dominican Republic will be using drones to monitor and fight drug trafficking. Monitoring the maritime region between Venezuela/Colombia and the Dominican Republic, drones will promote maritime vigilance similar to technology used on the US-Mexico border. Local staff will be trained by US specialists.
Mexico:
“La nueva apuesta de la Semar: aviones no tripulados en Mexico”
Guillermo Guerrero / Milenio (Mexico), Aug 28, 2012
Mexico is building drones, similar to the ones the US government uses to monitor the border. The drones will be used in floods, natural disasters and to combat organized crime. So far they have 3 aircraft with the latest technology and are designing two models, a larger model with an undercarriage and a mini model to be used in the field.
Peru:
“El primer avión no tripulado de Peru”
Peru21 (Peru), December 14, 2011
Peru’s air force (FAP) has developed an unmanned aircraft with electronic warfare using 100% domestic technology. It will continue to develop drone technology in 2012 hoping to develop an autonomous aeronautics industry.
The FAP hopes to develop 12 more aircraft and continue developing drone technology to strengthen its deterrent capability, allowing for civic action flights to remote villages on the Amazon and the border; the FAP also hopes to use this development in a technology transfer.
“Conozca los drones peruanos aviones no tripulados fabricados en Peru”
Peru.com, July 12, 2012
Peru has developed three different kinds of drones for use in intelligence gathering. The FAP, under Carlos Ocio, began its own research in 1999 successfully developing one prototype before unsuccessfully crashing another.
The program was revived in 2004 under the name Condor Project developing a FLIR (forward-looking infrared) system, equipped with four cameras. The program lacked funding so it wasn’t until CONCYTEC and Comando Conjunto formed an association before all 3 models were successfully developed.
The Peruvian air force (FAP) will coordinate with the National Council for Science and Technology and Technological Innovation (CONCYTEC) to begin producing drones. They hope to mass-produce the drones with the hope of financing the venture.
“Peru Construira Aviones no Tripulados”
TV Peru (government of Peru) Video: August 2, 2012
Venezuela:
“Venezuela detecta con avion no tripulado una avion en frontera Colombia”
EFE, September 26, 2012
President Hugo Chávez announced that Venezuela had captured a plane, presumably carrying drugs, on the Colombian border; the plane was detected by a drone Venezuela developed with Iran. The government highlighted the use of the drones, saying it “helped a lot.”
The drone was built in June for the “defensive power of the nation” and as Julio Morales Prieto, president of Cavim (Venezuelan military industrial corporation) noted, it is the second best in South America and will be used for reconnaissance.
“Aviones no tripulados venezolanos: Defensa, soberania, y revolucion”
Anais Lucena / Radio Mundial (government of Venezuela), June 27, 2012
In cooperation with Russia, China, and Iran, Venezuela developed 3 drones, manufactured in the country with training and technology from Iran. The drones, equipped only with cameras, are for the purpose of safeguarding national security and to monitor rivers. President Chávez and the government highlight the benefit of drones in dangerous or inaccessible places and note the necessity of modernizing the military.
Venezuela joins other South American countries Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Colombia, which have contracted to obtain drones, as well as Argentina, Mexico, and Peru, which developed their own. Chávez denounces the United States’ criticism of this development, noting the double standard in American use of armed drones in Afghanistan.
“Venezuela fabrica avion no tripulado con apoyo de Iran”
Reuters/EFE, El Universo (Guayaquil, Ecuador), June 15, 2012
The announcement of Venezuela’s development of drones comes at the same time the US government seeks to limit Iran’s influence in Latin America. The Venezuelan drones, developed with Iranian technology, were being investigated by the US prior to Chavez’s announcement on June 13, 2012. Venezuela maintains the use of the drones is solely defensive.
“Chavez presentó el primer avión no tripulado fabricado en Venezuela”
DPA, June 14, 2012
Venezuela contracted with Russia to develop drones, among other defense projects funded with US$4 billion in credits from Russia, said Gen. Julio César Morales, head of the state defense industry corporation (CAVIM), the drones’ manufacturer. President Chávez expressed the need to consolidate defensive power in order to ensure the independence of Venezuela.
“Chávez muestra primer avión no tripulado para uso militar”
Agence France-Presse, June 14, 2012
Chavez announced that with the support of Iran, Russia, and China, Venezuela has its first drone for military and civilian use, and affirms that it will begin exportation. They have already manufactured 3 drones and will continue to manufacture for defense, reconnaissance, and to protect pipelines, forests, roads, and dams. The parts are made in Venezuela and assembled by military engineers trained in Iran.
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