Colombia Launches $1.68 Billion Anti-Drone Shield to Counter Armed Groups

Colombia has officially launched a $1.68 billion national security project aimed at developing an advanced anti-drone shield to protect the country from attacks carried out by illegal armed groups using unmanned aerial vehicles. The announcement was made on Friday by Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez, who described the initiative as one of the most ambitious defense strategies in the country’s modern history.

Colombia has endured an internal armed conflict for more than six decades, involving the military and police, left-wing guerrilla organizations, criminal groups formed by former right-wing paramilitaries, and powerful drug cartels. This prolonged conflict has resulted in more than 450,000 deaths, making security modernization a top priority for the government.

In a video statement, Sánchez said the anti-drone shield represents a bold and innovative approach to national defense, responding to the growing use of weaponized drones by armed groups. The Colombian government has already approved $271.1 million to fund the first phase of the project, signaling strong political and financial backing.

A high-level meeting was held in Bogotá with international countries and defense companies interested in participating in the initiative, although officials have not disclosed specific partners or technical details. The project is expected to involve advanced detection systems, electronic countermeasures, and potentially artificial intelligence to neutralize drone threats in real time.

Between 2024 and 2025, Colombia recorded 264 drone attacks involving explosives, mainly in remote jungle and mountainous regions where coca leaf cultivation is widespread. These areas are critical to cocaine production and are often controlled by armed groups. Authorities attribute the attacks primarily to the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

According to official data, the drone attacks during that period killed 15 soldiers and wounded at least 153 others, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced counter-drone capabilities. The anti-drone shield is expected to significantly reduce these threats and improve troop safety.

The initiative follows Colombia’s broader military modernization efforts. In November, the government signed a €3.1 billion ($3.6 billion) agreement with Swedish defense company Saab to acquire 17 Gripen fighter jets over the next five years, further strengthening the country’s air defense and security infrastructure.