Created in the 1950s, CONPES is Colombia’s National Council for Economic and Social Policy, and acts as a technical planning body advising the government on long term public investment and major contracts large enough to have a significant effect on the national budget and public credit.

Colombia, limited by available budget, took a “how many planes can we get for $678 million?” approach, while the two European defense contractors were said to insist upon a firm commitment for 16 aircraft.

Colombia currently flies approximately 20 1970s-era Israeli Kfir single engine combat aircraft, which are technologically obsolete, and have reached the end of their service life. While President Gustavo Petro ran on a campaign promise to nix the purchase of new combat aircraft being negotiated by former President Ivan Duque, once elected, he reversed position, saying new aircraft were needed “for the safety of the pilots.”

The “Gringos?”

The United States, Colombia’s closest defense ally and trade partner, has been lobbying Colombia for years to consider its Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter, and has always been sure to send a US Air Force contingent to the biennial F-AIR air show put on by the Colombian Air Force at the José María Córdova International Airport outside of Medellín. During the 2019 event, the US even sent its Thunderbirds demonstration team, that flies the F-16, and conducted a flyover where a US B-52 Stratofortress bomber, which can fly over 14,000km without refueling, flew nonstop from the US and conducted maneuvers (above photo) with the Colombian Kfir jets before returning without landing. The 2021 event was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Analysts, including Finance Colombia, will be observant for clues to progress on negotiations at this year’s F-AIR taking place in July. F-AIR is open to the public, and aviation enthusiasts are encouraged to attend.

Above photo: A USAF B-52 Stratofortress bomber flies in formation with Colombian Kfir fighters, commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the founding of Colombia’s Air Force by the creation of a military aviation school for the Colombian Army in 1919 (photo © Loren Moss).

US Air Force Thunderbirds in formation over José Maria Córdova International Airport outside of Medellín, Colombia

Colombian Air Force in “100” Aerial Formation

The first two days of F-AIR were open only to industry professionals, government and military, with the last two days open to record crowds this year, attracted by the first ever presence of the US Air Force Thunderbirds, the elite demonstration team of US F-16 pilots. While the Thunderbirds put on a stunning show both Saturday and Sunday, they were supported by flyovers of Colombian armed forces helicopters, a US B-52 strategic bomber that flew non-stop from the US and back, and a special Colombian Air Force 100^th anniversary flyover demonstration.

The B52 made several passes over the show’s crowds accompanied by Colombian KFIR jet fighters. The US also was present with a contingent of South Carolina Air National Guard F-16 fighters and pilots. The US Air Force also sent a Boeing C-17 Globemaster military transport and a Northrup Grumman KC-10 aerial refueling tanker for the show. Many companies displayed commercial, specialty and general aviation aircraft, and the Colombian military also had many aircraft on display.

“The government of the United States has a strong and proven partnership with the Colombian government and has given decisive support to many initiatives in the Colombian aviation sector,” said Kevin Whittaker, the current US Ambassador to Colombia. “The progress in Colombia’s security and the strong commercial ties with the United States will further strengthen our business relationship and allow us to continue providing the most advanced solutions to the Colombian aviation sector.”

Over 20 US manufacturers were present at this year’s show, running July 11-14, with 8 vendors new to the event. Most exhibited in the US “Partnership Pavilion” sponsored by the US Departments of Commerce, State, Defense, and Transportation. 

Headline photo credit: Liliana Padierna  Body photos credit: Loren Moss

US Air Force B-52 bomber flies in formation with Colombian Air Force KFIR Fighters

During F-AIR Colombia 2019, The United States will present its air show of the Thunderbirds, known as the aerial demonstration squadron of the US Air Force, made up of eight pilots aboard Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. The US participation highlights the close ties and collaboration between the Colombian and US militaries.

Over the four days of F-AIR, attendees can enjoy static displays of American aircraft, with the arrival of four F-16 from the South Carolina Air National Guard (SCANG). In addition, just as at the last F-AIR in 2017, there will be a fly-by of a Boeing B-52 strategic bomber (picture below from the 2017 F-AIR). The B-52 is the US Air Force’s heavy bomber created in 1960 and still in active deployment, an enduring emblem of US military air power.

Additionally, the air show will have eight commercial exhibitors from the USA as well as representatives of companies from other countries, for example: Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, a world leader in the design, manufacture and sale of combat aircraft and commercial aircraft; Gulf Coast Avionics Corporation, the major supplier of avionics and aviation services; and Milex Inc, a company that has been offering innovative products for the personal protection for the world’s defense forces for 125 years.

Colombia has become a nation with strong potential in the aviation industry, has a qualified workforce and proven knowledge in engineering. For example, during the last several years, the CIAC (Corporation of the Colombian Aviation Industry) has excelled in the manufacture of spare parts for aircraft and recently has demonstrated advances in maintenance of US manufactured Sikorsky Black Hawk multi-role military helicopters.

The 11^th F-AIR Colombia Air Show takes place at the José Maria Córdova International Airport just outside Medellín, Colombia from July 11^th to the 14^th, 2019. The 11^th and 12^th are industry-only days and closed to the public. The weekend days off the 13^th and 14^th are open to the public and when most of the exciting aerial displays and demonstrations. Tickets are available for purchase via Tuboleta.

Thunderbirds photo credit: USAF Staff Sargeant Ned T. Johnston. 

US Air Force B-52 photo credit: Loren Moss, Finance Colombia

Above: Dr. Lenis Steffens takes the podium to make remarks at the 2015 F-Air Colombia launch reception.

The air show is designed primarily to provide a platform for global players in the aviation and aeronautical sectors to present developments and updates in their product and service offerings to both the regional civilian and military aerospace industries. Open to government and business aviation users, the event will also be open to aviation enthusiasts from the public, with demonstrations confirmed by Colombian and Chilean armed forces. Other nations may perform but have not yet confirmed.

“Many companies in the aviation world are taking notice of us,” said Dr. Gustavo Alberto Lenis Steffens, the director general of Aeronautica Civil, Colombia’s civil aviation authority, and joint organizer of the event along with Colombia’s air force, and Corferias. “We have the third most aviation traffic in Latin America, behind Mexico and Brazil. Colombia’s aviation sector is important and modern, and this is a chance to bring the major players, the most important service providers to Colombia.”

Left to right: Air Force Brigadier General Jose Mauricio Mancera Castaño (Colombia), Alexey Belov, Rosoboronexport (Russia), Army Major Emily Freeman (USA), Finance Colombia Publisher Loren Moss (USA), Lieutenant Colonel Eldar Sadykov (Russia), Air Force Brigadier General Juan Marcos Perdomo Robledo (Colombia), and Air Force Colonel Pete Schaub (USA) at the F-Air Colombia 2015 launch reception.

Over 229 exhibitors are expected to demonstrate their wares and innovations, coming from China, Russia, the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Israel, Colombia, and official invitee, the United States, which will have a large, official delegation participating in the event. While the business salons are expected to host 519 face to face meetings, total participation including the aviation enthusiast public is expected to reach 54,000 visitors, and be a boon to the Medellin area’s tourism economy.

“The goal is not to be bigger, but yes, it’s going to be bigger (than the last show in 2013). For me, what is more important is that each time more actors in the aeronautical world are coming. I have spoken to some that are coming, and there are proposals for training—for example, there is one firm that is already interested in opening a training center, and will start, beginning in October in the free zone, to offer services to countries in the region. That will be a giant investment because each flight simulator costs between eight and nine million dollars. That’s what the air show is looking for,” added Dr. Lenis Steffens. “Colombia has a privileged geographic location. We are best located to reach Latin America and Miami. From that we are going to develop our services in the aviation sector that generate employment and generate knowledge.”

Twitter: @faircol

Confirmed exhibitors include global aerospace names such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael, Saab, World Fuel Services, Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, Israel Aerospace Industries, and others.