Colombia will replace the Kfirs

[Manticore]

In an interview with a recognized news media of Colombia, General Guillermo León León, commander of the Colombian Air Force announced that the institution in his charge had initiated the process to replace the veteran Kfir fighte jet, currently the spearhead of air defense of the country. This is due to the technical problems being experienced with the equipment after modernization in Israel, and would have led to the loss of several units (4).

General Leon said it had begun corresponding studies to determine wich aircraft is best for the country, given the resources,budget and the real available present and future threats, which not only include internal external threats but also threats which have already been facing, and at this point specifically mentioned drug trafficking.
www.fuerzasmilitares.org - Llegó la hora: Colombia reemplazará a los aviones Kfir
While still not determined the aircraft purchase, options shuffled the F-16 of US origin. Worth noting that in the interview also mentioned that soon there would also replace the veteran A-37 Dragonfly and OV-10 Bronco that are quickly reaching the end of its useful life.

It is expected, in the words of General León, the first units of the new fighters of the Colombian Air Force are coming to the country within a maximum period of five years, allowing the Colombian Air Force to strengthen control of the national airspace. Within that period the FAC expects to acquire two seater Kfir for training pilots of that system, which will remain in place for several years.

 

[Manticore]

Engine flameout blamed for Colombian Kfir crash | Defense Update:

Preliminary investigation has indicated that the aircraft lost power at low altitude, as the J79-GE J1EQD jet engine suffered ‘flameout’, forcing the pilot to eject. Flameout occurring at higher altitude would enable the pilot few seconds to try and restart the engine, but at low altitude, ejection is the procedure to follow under such conditions.

A flameout refers to the run-down of a jet engine caused by the extinction of the flame in the combustion chamber. It can be caused by a number of factors – some due to pilot error – such as fuel starvation, compressor stall, or insufficient oxygen at high altitudes. Other causes are from foreign object damage (often caused by birds strike at low altitude). Severe inclement weather, cold temperatures and mechanical failures are also probable causes.

The Colombian investigation has ruled out bird air strike hazard (BASH) or an ingestion of birds by the turbojet engine. IAI will inspect the engine to try and understand the cause of the mishap. IAI’s Lahav division has been performing maintenance and repair of the Colombian Kfir engines since their introduction into service. The Colombian Air Force is expected to have 24 Kfir C-10 aircraft in its inventory.

According to Colombian sources J79-GE J1EQD engines are believed to have caused four accidents involving the Kfir TC12/C10, in a series of accidents that claimed the life of one pilot. Two variants of this engine were used to power the McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom. While flameout was relatively common, it rarely occurred simultaneously at low altitude, thus providing redundancy at such emergencies.

 

[C130]

they need a replacement that will match or better the SU-30 MK2.
don't think the F-16,18, will cut it. F35,Eurofighter, and Rafale is out of their price range.


maybe Gripen NG?? or go purchase the SU-35???

 

[jhungary]

they need a replacement that will match or better the SU-30 MK2.
don't think the F-16,18, will cut it. F35,Eurofighter, and Rafale is out of their price range.


maybe Gripen NG?? or go purchase the SU-35???

unless Russia is running a Drug for plane program, SU-35 will be out of the range of FAC...Columbia never run Russian Air Asset, it would cost quite a lot to retrain FAC for Su-35

Gripen or F-16 is a more sensible choice, even Gripen NG is a bit out of FAC league

 

[MilSpec]

unless Russia is running a Drug for plane program, SU-35 will be out of the range of FAC...Columbia never run Russian Air Asset, it would cost quite a lot to retrain FAC for Su-35

Gripen or F-16 is a more sensible choice, even Gripen NG is a bit out of FAC league

aren't south african gripens in storage?

 

[jhungary]

aren't south african gripens in storage?

yeah, but that's only because they are broke....

Gripen is a good aircraft and they are somewhat even cheaper than F-16 when you operate them.

According to this article

South Africa’s Sad Military: Why Maintenance Matters

South Africa have a tendency of buying shiny new toy but neglect to maintain them....

 

[A2Z]

F-16 would be the best option for them. If US is will to sell them.

 

[Penguin]

Neighbours:

• Brazil: F-5EM Tiger II / AMX 1A1. (eventually something else)
• Cuba: Mig 29
• Ecuador : Kfir/Cheetah (Mirage 5 based) also
• Peru : Mirage 2000 / Mig 29
• Venezuela: F-16A/B Block 15OCU / SU-30 MK2

Colombia Brig. Gen. Carlos Bueno also tells IQPC’s International Fighter Conference that they’re looking for an AEW plane, and advanced second-hand fighters to supplement their Kfir C10/C12s. Reports from the conference had Bueno mentioning the F-16, Sukhoi Su-30, Saab’s JAS-39 Gripen, Dassault’s Mirage 2000 and Rafale, “and some more”. Used F-16s are widely available, Sweden could offer some JAS-39A/Bs (upgraded or otherwise), and the UAE has almost 60 advanced Mirage 2000-9s they’re looking to sell. Rafales aren’t available second-hand, and would be prohibitively expensive new. SU-30s aren’t really available second-hand, but might barely be affordable new; Colombia’s neighbor Venezuela flies them. Finally, IAI is touting a “Kfir Block 60″ option with a more advanced AESA radar, integration with Spice dual-mode GPS/IIR bombs, and Python 5 short-range air-to-air missiles. Based on costs, availability, and the ability to carry in-service weapons, F-16s are a very strong choice, with Gripen and Kfir Block 60 fighters right up there. Dassault’s Mirage has an issue with weapon compatibility, as does Sukhoi.

Colombia’s Defense Modernization

Wonder what the weapons compatibility issue of those Mirage 2000-9 is ......

Over 220 Kfirs were constructed by IAI, and just under 100 ended up in non-Israëli services. Which suggests additional Kfir are a very real option.

 

[OTTOMAN]

Neighbours:

• Brazil: F-5EM Tiger II / AMX 1A1. (eventually something else)
• Cuba: Mig 29
• Ecuador : Kfir/Cheetah (Mirage 5 based) also
• Peru : Mirage 2000 / Mig 29
• Venezuela: F-16A/B Block 15OCU / SU-30 MK2.

Chile - F-16

 

[Penguin]

Yeah, but last time I check, that wasn't a neighbour.