On December 29, the purchase order that will replacen The Israel Aircraft Kfir will begin, everything seems to indicate that the Colombian Armed Forces will bet on the Dassault Rafale, fighter 4.5th generation multipurpose, twin-engine, and with a delta wing configuration and canards, designed and built in France.
Local media learned that the purchase order for the Rafael French aircraft would be ready on December 29, taking into account the resources allocated for the purchase of the aircraft.
In the event that this purchase order does not come out on this date, there will be a period of approximately 30 days to be able to execute it and for these aircraft to be officially acquired by Colombia.
The national government ruled out the purchase of the f-16 aircraft of US origin, the reason being the costs, first the f-16 are not compatible with in-flight refueling, secondly within the government’s considerations the f-16 are aircraft much older and in third place, the acquisition cost of the f-16 doubles in value than the Rafael planes of French origin, however, experts point out that although the acquisition cost of the Rafael is cheaper, the decision on parts and logistics for its maintenance is much more expensive.
Logistics costs, pilot training and aircraft maintenance turn out to be cheaper than its competitors in the medium and long term as for the Rafael, the purchase value can be very similar to the f16 but apparently there is a longer financing term which that would make them budgetary more viable, in a period of two to three years five aircraft would arrive in Colombia
