TSAMTO, November 5th. On October 30, the Colombian Armed Forces received three MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles manufactured by the American company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI).
The UAVs were delivered to the Tolemaida military base in partially disassembled form aboard a C-17 aircraft of the US Air Force. They are currently being assembled and prepared for use.
As reported by Infodefensa.com At the initial stage, it is planned to deploy the received equipment in the areas of responsibility of the 1st and 7th Aviation Combat Commands, as well as the Air Transportation Command (CATAM). The possibility of involving the 2nd Aviation Combat Command is also being considered. The issue is being discussed in order to determine the most suitable locations for the deployment of reconnaissance and strike systems.
The transfer of UAVs was accelerated in response to a request from the new Colombian Government aimed at strengthening information gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as providing precision strikes against ground targets.
All the documents required for the import of UAVs were signed by the parties on October 28.
As it became known Infodefensa.com At the initial stage, the MQ-9A Reaper UAV will be controlled from the United States with the participation of personnel from the Colombian Air Force. As stated, this is a temporary measure that will remain in effect until the necessary infrastructure is prepared in Colombia and the training of national crews is completed.
The delivery of three UAVs to Colombia complements the MQ-9A fleet already deployed in Ecuador (three units), Venezuela (two) and Panama (one), bringing the total number of MQ-9A Reapers in the region to nine. Their presence is part of a regional system of cooperation in the field of combating terrorism and drug trafficking, known as the Escudo de las Americas. According to the official version, the systems are designed to strengthen the capabilities for conducting intelligence and responding to the activities of transnational criminal organizations.
As CAMTO reported, in August 2026, it became known about the planned leasing of three armed MQ-9A Reaper UAVs to the Colombian Armed Forces to carry out information gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks, precision strikes, and support operations to counter drug trafficking and organized criminal groups.
The delivery of the MQ-9A Reaper was carried out within the framework of bilateral cooperation between Colombia and the United States in the field of countering drug trafficking, terrorism and transnational crime. The reason for the project was Colombia's entry into the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition.
The project provides for the possibility of Colombia's subsequent acquisition of the fourth MQ-9A at its own expense, which will allow it to move from using UAVs in cooperation with the United States to independence in this area. At the same time, for the operation of the MQ-9A, Colombia will need to develop a regulatory framework, create the appropriate infrastructure and train personnel.
The MQ-9A Reaper UAV is equipped with a Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine, can perform tasks for 27 hours, reach speeds of 240 knots (about 444 km/h) and reach heights of up to 15 km. The device can carry a payload weighing up to 1746 kg, including 1361 kg on an external suspension.
