US congressional approval has been given to provide Colombia with $532 million earmarked for the US-sponsored Plan Colombia counter-drug programme.
Nearly 11% of the money is destined for the Colombian air force, which is expected to assign those funds to aircraft acquisitions and overhaul programmes.
The purchase and overhaul of four used Lockheed Martin C-130H tactical transports is worth $32 million. A $3.2 million project covers the acquisition of one Basler BT-67 gunship and the overhaul of Colombia's five remaining airframes. The BT-67 is a turboprop-conversion of the Douglas C-47.
To offset attrition and enhance its rotary wing element, the air force plans to acquire 10 more Bell UH-1H helicopters, likely to be upgraded to Huey II standard.
Source: Flight International
