미국, 콜롬비아 크피르 대체기로 F-16 제안

[위종민]

19기 운용중인 콜롬비아 공군의 크피르 대체기로 미국이 F-16을 제안했네요. 규모는 8기, 금액은 25억 콜롬비아 페소라고 합니다. 신조기 외에 24기의 F-16을 제공할 수도 있다고 제안했다고 합니다.

9월엔 JAS-39 그리펜도 제안됐었다고 합니다. 한국이 KF-21을 제안한다는 얘기도 있었죠. ( When Computers Went To Sea | 성장하는 한국 방산 기회의 땅으로 떠오르고 있는 남미 - Daum 카페 ) 

US Pitches F-16s to Replace Colombian Air Force’s Israeli Kfir Jets

 US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and Colombian Air Force Kfirs fly in formation. Photo: Senior Airman Duncan C. Bevan/US Air Force

 Home/Air/US Pitches F-16s to Replace Colombian Air Force’s Israeli Kfir Jets

AirAmericasUS Pitches F-16s to Replace Colombian Air Force’s Israeli Kfir Jets

 Rojoef ManuelNovember 26, 2024

 1 minute read

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The US has proposed a deal to supply F-16 Fighting Falcons as replacements for the Colombian Air Force’s Israeli-made Kfir combat aircraft.

The potential deal stipulates up to eight of the Lockheed Martin jets and could cost around 2.5 billion Colombian pesos ($566.4 million), according to Bogotá-based news agency Blu Radio.

In addition to the fleet, the package will incorporate spare parts, logistics support, ground equipment, sustainment services, training, and simulator solutions.

The report claimed that the US government is also considering giving 24 F-16s to the Latin American nation during the acquisition process on top of the procured units.

Part of the overall pitch is the construction of a facility to complement the incoming fleet at a military air base in Palanquero.

A US Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon above Hill Air Force Base, Utah, August 17, 2017. Image: Scott Wolff

Earlier in November, Swedish defense company Saab confirmed an offer to provide its JAS 39 Gripen light attack aircraft for Colombia’s Kfir replacement program.

The same month, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said that the South American government had already selected the industry partner for the initiative, adding that the sale would deliver related services in exchange for the purchase decision.

The ‘Lion Cub’ Aircraft

Developed by Israel Aircraft Industries, the Kfir (Lion Cub) aircraft is a combination of the French Dassault Mirage 5 supersonic fighter airframe and Tel Aviv’s version of the American General Electric J79 turbojet engine.

The Kfir first entered service under the Colombian Air Force in the early 1990s, with the initial tranche sourced from the Israeli Defense Forces’ stockpile.

Since then, the aircraft has received upgrades to match the evolving battlespace. Most of the Colombian Kfirs have been deployed for counter-insurgency and ground-attack assaults.

Around 20 Kfirs are operational in the country.

Colombian Air Force Kfirs. Photo: Senior Airman Duncan C. Bevan/US Air Force

The Kfir has a length of 16 meters (52 feet), a wingspan of 8 meters (27 feet), and a weight of approximately 7,400 kilograms (16,310 pounds).

It has a top speed of 1,320 knots (2,445 kilometers/1519 miles per hour), a range of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles), and an operational altitude of 17,680 meters (58,005 feet).

The plane can be armed with revolver cannons, air-to-ground rockets, air-to-air missiles, and standard, cluster, and laser-guided bombs.

[백선호]

영국, 프랑스는 콜롬비아에 별로 관심이 없나보네용?

[위종민]

열심히 제안서 쓰고 있는 게 아니면, 어차피 미국 나와바리라 포기한 것 같습니다 ㅎㅎ 그리펜이야 브라질을 뚫었으니..