he Colombian Ministry of Defense has officially launched the “National Counter-UAV Shield” program, a large-scale initiative aimed at protecting the country against threats posed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). With an allocated budget of approximately 6.2 trillion Colombian pesos—around $1.6 billion—the program is designed to establish a comprehensive counter-drone defense architecture across the entire country. Priority areas include border regions, critical infrastructure facilities, and major urban centers. The project is described as the largest investment ever made by Colombia in airspace security.

According to the Ministry, the decision to accelerate the program was taken in the aftermath of a recent U.S. strike targeting air defense systems in Venezuela. Officials emphasized that the incident significantly increased regional security risks and prompted a reassessment of Colombia’s vulnerabilities, particularly against long-range and cross-border UAV threats. As a result, strengthening national air defense capabilities against evolving aerial threats has become a strategic priority.

The Counter-UAV Shield will be built as a multi-layered system integrating early-warning sensors, radar networks, electronic warfare systems, physical interception tools, and advanced command-and-control centers. The Ministry stated that the program aims to enhance the country’s ability to detect, identify, track, and neutralize hostile unmanned systems in real time. A key objective is ensuring seamless national-level coordination between the Armed Forces, civil aviation authorities, and emergency response agencies.

The first step of the program will take place on January 16, with a confidential technical briefing attended by international defense companies and foreign government representatives. During the meeting, critical factors such as technical performance, interoperability, cost efficiency, delivery timelines, and legal compliance will be evaluated. The Ministry confirmed that the allocated budget covers procurement, system integration, personnel training, operational sustainment, and initial deployment phases, all of which are secured under Colombia’s 2026 national budget plan.

The system will include both fixed and mobile components and will be deployed for border security operations, air defense units, police forces, and the protection of critical infrastructure. Once fully operational, the National Counter-UAV Shield is expected to significantly enhance Colombia’s resilience against emerging aerial threats and contribute to broader regional stability.