Colombia is negotiating an estimated $200 million purchase of 24 ex-Israeli air force Kfir fighters to be upgraded with new electronic systems by Israel Aerospace Industries. The aircraft would replace Colombia's ageing fleet of 12 Kfirs and 12 Dassault Mirage 5COAs.
The proposal comes as tensions rise between Colombia and neighbour Venezuela over the latter's disputed purchase of Sukhoi Su-27 fighters, but Colombia defence minister Juan Manual Santos says: "We are not expanding our capacity. We are simply replacing some elements that were very old for a few that are more modern."
The Kfir package was selected over a rival bid from France.