Colombia Develops Anti-Drone Shield Against Attacks
- Colombia's goverment initiated the "national Anti-Drone Shield" project in response to a December 18, 2025, attack by the National Liberation Army (ELN) that killed seven soldiers and injured...
- Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed the project's execution less than a month after the attack, allocating an initial investment of $1.68 billion.
- The Colombian army documented 393 drone attacks between April 2024 and December 2025, particularly in the Catatumbo and Cauca regions.these devices have become "unconventional weapons" due to their...
Colombia Launches $1.68 Billion Anti-Drone Shield
Colombia’s goverment initiated the “national Anti-Drone Shield” project in response to a December 18, 2025, attack by the National Liberation Army (ELN) that killed seven soldiers and injured over 30 in the Cesar department. The attack, carried out using drones, prompted a presidential order to acquire anti-drone systems nationwide and marked a important shift in the country’s security approach.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed the project’s execution less than a month after the attack, allocating an initial investment of $1.68 billion. The Ministry of Defense described the initiative as “the most ambitious and audacious airspace defense strategy,” designed to protect civilians and security forces from the increasing use of drones by the ELN.
The Colombian army documented 393 drone attacks between April 2024 and December 2025, particularly in the Catatumbo and Cauca regions.these devices have become ”unconventional weapons” due to their low cost and accessibility,often purchased online and modified for military use,according to Laura Bonilla,director of the Peace and Reconciliation Foundation.
Project Effectiveness Questioned
concurrently,the Colombian armed forces have been modernizing their own technology. In early October, the Army unveiled its first drone battalion equipped with artificial intelligence, capable of identifying targets and operating autonomously.