Colombia To Purchase Israeli 155mm Howitzer Artillery

Defense news is reporting that Colombia has placed a $101.7 million USD order for 18 Atmos 155mm howitzer guns from Elbit Systems of Israel, beating out a $114 million offer for Caesar 6-wheel drive units from Nexter of France.

Colombia’s military is seeking to modernize and keep pace with other countries in the region, after focusing on internal counterinsurgency and antinarcotics operations for the past several decades.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro is also pursuing a deal for fourth generation jet fighters to replace the country’s obsolete Kfir jets, considering Saab Gripens, Dassault Rafales, and Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons. Petro’s administration is pushing for military modernization while governing under a “Total Peace” slogan. During the presidential campaign, he opposed the purchase of new fighter jets, though he now supports the purchase.

Photo courtesy Elbit Systems