The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated that the country’s Armed Forces lost the ability to carry out large-scale operations after the suspension of the use of Russian Mi-17 helicopters, by order of the United States.
According to Petro, the decision to keep the aircraft on the ground, due to the impossibility of maintenance by Russian companies, significantly harmed the mobilization power of the Colombian Army.
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Petro criticized the helicopters Black Hawksupplied by the US as replacements, as they were unsuitable for mass troop transport. He explained that, in operations in mountainous regions, the Black Hawks only allow aerial combat, but not the occupation of terrain, compromising the effectiveness of the missions. The president also commented on the suspension of part of American military and financial aid, highlighting that a large part of these resources does not reach the national budget, but rather goes to NGOs managed by USAID.
Despite minimizing the economic effects of the measure, Petro warned that the eventual withdrawal of the Black Hawks would represent a challenge for the country’s defense. The Colombian government thus seeks to reduce external dependence in the military area.
Colombia currently has 19 Mi-17 helicopters, but is facing difficulties in keeping them operational due to sanctions imposed on Russia.
Source: Sputnik | Photo: X @NoticiasCaracol | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
