As part of the strengthening of its strategic resources and the military operation, the Colombian National Army made the symbolic presentation of 11 ASV M1117 Guardian armored vehicles, which are part of a modernization process that has already achieved the entry of 145 units currently deployed in different areas of operations of the country.
The delivery ceremony of these vehicles took place at the Military Fort of Tolemaida in a military ceremony presided over by the commander of the Army, Major General Royer Gómez, and the Chargé d'affaires of the United States Embassy in Colombia, John McNamara.
The fleet was delivered within the framework of the Foreign Military Financing Program (FMF), is part of the CO-B-VHN Charter of Services and Acceptance (LOA), implemented since 2020, consolidating bilateral cooperation conducted by both countries in security and defense matters.
Currently, the entry of 55 additional vehicles is pending, which remain in the United States and whose arrival is subject to the completion of the corresponding administrative and logistical procedures, which will complete the projected fleet for Colombian National Army.
The entry of these vehicles is strategically aligned with the Sector Strategic Plan of the Ministry of National Defense (PES 2022-2026), specifically with Objective No. 1, aimed at providing security and protection conditions for life, personal integrity and heritage, with emphasis on territories hit by organized armed groups and criminal structures.
The ASVS M1117 Guardian are 4×4 armored vehicles used in the Functional Area of Movement and Maneuver, which significantly increase the deployment capacity of troops, providing protection against mines and improvised explosive devices. Their versatility makes them key means for operations, configuration and maintenance operations, especially in areas with a high incidence of drug trafficking, illegal mining and threats to national security.
These vehicles have multilayer armor, 360° rotating turret equipped with caliber machinegun .50 mm and 40 mm Mk-19 automatic grenade launcher, with the ability to integrate additional armament. They have a robust and efficient engine, automatic transmission, independent suspension, maximum speed of 100 km/h, communication systems, and day and night vision, conducting reconnaissance tasks, territorial control and fire support in both urban and rural environments.
As for their maintenance, the M1117 receive an initial set-up by the United States and periodic maintenance conducted by two Maintenance Battalions of Colombian National Army, with semi-annual and annual reviews, supported by mobile armor maintenance units that operate directly in the theater of operations.
The deployment of these vehicles is prioritized in strategic and highly complex areas of the military operation, including the Catatumbo, in the department of Norte of Santander, Arauca department, Cauca department and south of Valle del Cauca department, Nariño department — especially Tumaco and the cordillera area—, Bajo Cauca antioqueño region, south of Córdoba, south of Bolívar and the Magdalena Medio region, territories where their armor, mobility and response capacity are decisive to increase the institutional activity and the security of the inhabitants.
Colombian National Army reaffirms its commitment to the protection of Colombians and the strengthening of its resources to decisively confront threats that damages the security and stability of the country.
