Colombia Launches $1.7 Billion Anti-Drone Shield to Counter Armed Groups

Bogotá, January 17, 2026 — Colombia has launched an ambitious anti-drone defense project worth nearly $1.7 billion to protect the country from drone attacks carried out by illegal armed groups, Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Friday.
In a video message, Sánchez said the Colombian government is pursuing a “bold and innovative strategy” to strengthen national security and defense capabilities. The first phase of the project has already received budget approval of $271.1 million, he added.
According to Reuters, Colombia has endured more than six decades of internal armed conflict, resulting in over 450,000 deaths. The violence has involved the military and police, leftist guerrilla groups, criminal networks formed by former right-wing paramilitaries, and powerful drug cartels.
Official data show that between 2024 and 2025, at least 264 drone attacks using explosives were recorded across the country. Most of these attacks occurred in dense jungle and mountainous areas where coca cultivation—the primary ingredient for cocaine production—is widespread.
The attacks have largely been attributed to the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the now-demobilized FARC guerrilla group. During this period, 15 soldiers were killed and 153 others injured in drone-related incidents.
On Friday, a meeting was held in the capital Bogotá with representatives from various countries and international defense companies interested in participating in the project. However, authorities did not disclose further technical or operational details.
The anti-drone shield is expected to significantly enhance Colombia’s ability to detect, intercept, and neutralize unmanned aerial threats, marking a major shift in how the country addresses evolving security challenges.