إن Colombian Armed Forces are actively enhancing their counter-UAS capabilities in response to the escalating threat posed by armed groups deploying commercial drones.
In late April, the Colombian Army launched its first-ever specialised training programme aimed at detecting and neutralising drone threats. The five-day course, organised by the Army’s Education and Doctrine Command Center, marked a significant step in adapting to modern security challenges. Thirty-five service members were carefully selected based on their professional backgrounds and critical skill sets.
The training programme covered key aspects of counter-drone operations, including surveillance protocols, signal jamming, and electronic disruption techniques. Participants also learned to recognise attack patterns and develop effective response strategies suited to both rural and urban environments. To reinforce these lessons, the course included practical exercises simulating real-world drone incursions. These hands-on scenarios enabled technical proficiency while also sharpening soldiers’ ability to make quick, informed decisions under pressure.
Brigadier General Jorge Ricardo Hernández Vargas, commander of the Colombian Army’s Education and Doctrine Command, commented, “The National Army has begun operational training against unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) attacks, with the aim of highlighting the operational capabilities of force members to detect, identify, neutralize, and mitigate hostile threats during military operations in the national context”. He continued, “This is to preserve the integrity of personnel and ensure the institutional mission’s fulfilment.”
Alongside the counter-UAS training led by the Education and Doctrine Command Centre, a parallel course was held on UAS management. This programme aimed to develop the core skills required to operate and coordinate drone systems effectively. According to Brigadier General Hernández “this is part of the strategic actions we continue to carry out to counter any threat posed by armed groups.”
A recent investigation by El Tiempo reports that former Russian military personnel are training members of the National Liberation Army (ELN) and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) dissidents in Venezuela to use explosive drones. The report also claims that these activities are being supported by the Nicolás Maduro regime, raising alarms about foreign involvement in Colombia’s internal conflict.
Meanwhile, armed groups in Colombia, including the Central General Staff, FARC dissidents, the ELN, and the Clan del Golfo, have been modifying commercial drones to carry out attacks. These devices have been used against both civilians and security forces in departments such as Guaviare, Caquetá, Nariño, Cauca, Huila, Tolima, Caldas, Norte de Santander, and Cesar.
The Colombian Military Forces reported that, as of May 2025, a total of 73 explosive drone attacks had been recorded nationwide. Of these, 59 occurred in the department of Cauca on Colombia’s Pacific coast, making it the most heavily affected region. The remaining 14 incidents were reported in other parts of the country, underscoring the expanding use of this tactic.
Those who completed the operational training against UAS attacks are now expected to pass on their knowledge to fellow soldiers within their brigades and battalions. By the end of May, 160 service members had been trained to manoeuvre these aircraft, marking a significant boost to the Army’s ability to respond to aerial threats.
مصدر الصورة المنشور: Colombian Armed Forces.
