The three MQ-9A Reaper drones that The United States agreed to send to Colombia to strengthen intelligence operations against armed organizations and structures dedicated to drug trafficking They arrived in the country in the last hoursas EL TIEMPO learned. Aircraft are part of the military cooperation agreements between Bogotá and Washington and They will be used for surveillance workrecognition and monitoring of objectives in different regions of the national territory.
The arrival occurs after several months of negotiations between the two governments to arrange the loan of these systemsmanufactured by the American company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. The past October 28TIME had known that the necessary documents to authorize the entry of aircraft had already been signed and that the administrative procedures were advanced.
The arrival of the aircraft coincides with the visit that the president Abelardo De La Espriella is planned for this Saturday October 31 to the Tolemaida military base. The presence of the president will occur as the events progress assembly work of the three unmanned systems that were provided by the United States to develop intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.
Drones arrive in Colombia. Photo:Courtesy
The drones arrived unarmed and in the next few hours installation procedures will be completed and verification of your systems before planned missions can begin within the framework of military cooperation between Colombia and the United States.
The agreement began to take shape in Augustafter the visit to the United States of the Minister of Defense, retired general Jorge Mora. At that time it was known that Washington would provide three aircraft under the loan modalitywhile Colombia contemplated the acquisition of a fourth team with own resources. The addition of the Reaper would allow expanding the capacity of the Military Forces to obtain information before and during operations against criminal structures.
However, the process went through several stages. The commander of the Colombian Air Forcemajor general Juan Jaime Martínez Ossahad pointed out that the agreements and letters of understanding between both countries were under review. Subsequently, the efforts progressed until complete required procedures for the entry of the equipment.
Drone model. Photo:Taken from the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems page
Reapers can stay for more than 27 hours in the air
Unlike drones usually used for short-term reconnaissance, The MQ-9A Reaper were designed to carry out surveillance missions for extended periods. According to your manufacturer’s specifications, They can exceed 27 hours of autonomy, reach speeds close to 444 kilometers per hour and operate at altitudes up to 15,240 meters.
The aircraft have approximately 11 meters long and 20 meters wingspan. Besides, can incorporate electro-optical camerasinfrared sensors and radars that allow you to obtain imagesidentify movements on the ground and transmit information to control stations.
These features would allow authorities to monitor to corridors used for cocaine transportationidentify movements of members of armed organizations and collect information about areas where military operations are prepared.
The aircraft that will arrive in the country. Photo:Taken from the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems page
Although the Reapers too They have the capacity to carry missiles and guided bombs, not all details of the configuration with which the three aircraft sent to Colombia will operate have been publicly disclosed. The US Air Force points out that these systems They can fulfill both intelligence missions as attack operations against identified targets.
The transfer of drones from Africa
The arrival of the equipment is also related to the movement of US aircraft to Latin America. The past October 6, The New York Times reportedbased on United States Government officials, who Washington was moving MQ-9 Reaper drones from Africa to Colombia and Ecuador to support operations against drug trafficking networks.
The information was taken up by different international media, which indicated that the deployment was part of military cooperation of the United States with countries in the region. However, by that time It had not been specified how many teams had entered each territory nor from which facilities they would begin their operations.
The deployment coincides with the strengthening intelligence sharing mechanisms between Colombia and the United States. Reaper systems can collect information on land movements, drug trafficking routes and locations of armed structures, as well as support target identification before the deployment of military units.
Justice Editorial
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