Central/South American Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

To my fellow SD brothers: (you all know who you are):

If Popeye has indeed truly left us we need to carry on in his name. Not only bring a quality of posting, but uplifting subject material. Additionally we need to be vigilant of forum infractions and report them to the appropriate moderator.

Who will stand with me in this endeavor to help maintain the quality of this forum?



The bottling of Malbec will stop until Popeye returns

Launched in Colombia ARC "Punta Espada"


(defensa.com) On October 31 saw the christening and launching ceremony of the first coastal patrol type CPV (Coastal Patrol Vessel) manufactured by Cotecmar Navy shipyards for Colombia, which began construction on December 27 2013 with the cutting of the first sheet and subsequent assembly of blocks in January 2014. The ceremony was led by Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon, and the commander of the Navy, Admiral Hernando Wills.




The ship was designed Colombia with South Korean shipyard STX counseling Offshore & Shipbuilding Co., which build two patrol boats of the same type which carry the names of ARC "Punta Soldado" and ARC "Punta Ardita" was commissioned and were thrown away in China and are waiting to be received by the Navy of Colombia.

The ARC "Punta Espada" is a ship whose primary mission is maritime interdiction, patrolling and surveillance of maritime areas and provide support border control operations to detect, intercept, stop, board, and inspect vessels sleeps to supply rapid reaction units and deployment, collection and supply boats boarding and inspection. The ship has a length of 45.25 meters long, 7.1 beam, draft of 1.84 meters, a displacement of 286 tons and can accommodate a crew of 23 people. The weapon system is comprised of the DARET-THOR DYNAMIC T-25 "Bushmaster" remote weapons station to deploy a cannon Bushmaster M242, this system is design 100% domestic, in a project that involves the Directorate of Weapons Electronics and ARC "DARET" and the company Thor Defense Systems.



In honor of Popeye bottling has stopped for the week and labels are at half mast

Miragedriver said:

The weapon system is comprised of the DARET-THOR DYNAMIC T-25 "Bushmaster" remote weapons station to deploy a cannon Bushmaster M242, this system is design 100% domestic...

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Well, actually, the heart and soul of that "system," is the Bushmaster M242 chain-fed autocannon, which is definitely NOT a domestic Columbian design.

The M242 Bushmaster 25 mm autocannon is used extensively by the US military, many NATO countries, and other nations on ground combat vehicles and ships. Originally, the weapon was designed and manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, which was later bought by the Boeing Corporation, but it is now owned and produced by Alliant Techsystems of Mesa, Arizona.

Now, the mechanism controlling the gun's traversing and actuation is probably a Columbian design...but the gun itself is 110% American.

Yup 25x137mm Original designer McDonald Douglas, current builder ATK was originally developed as part of the US Army's R&D program to develup a IFV that ended in the Bradley where it is still the standard main gun.

Jeff Head said:

Well, actually, the heart and soul of that "system," is the Bushmaster M242 chain-fed autocannon, which is definitely NOT a domestic Columbian design.

The M242 Bushmaster 25 mm autocannon is used extensively by the US military, many NATO countries, and other nations on ground combat vehicles and ships. Originally, the weapon was designed and manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, which was later bought by the Boeing Corporation, but it is now owned and produced by Alliant Techsystems of Mesa, Arizona.

Now, the mechanism controlling the gun's traversing and actuation is probably a Columbian design...but the gun itself is 110% American.

Click to expand...

Thanks Jeff!

Even though Defensa is accurate the majority of the time, they still get over zealous in their writing. It would be interesting to see if they are assembling the M242 Bushmaster 25 mm auto cannon or importing it from the USA.



In honor of Popeye bottling has stopped for the week and labels are at half mast

Why the hurry? Is Argentina seriously thinking about taking on the Brits again before their aircraft carrier come on line in 2020?

Miragedriver said:

The JF-17 would work very well, however consider the time line:

Negotiations: 1 to 2 years

Setting up assemble line and some parts manufacturing: 2 years

Then assume a production rate of 6 aircraft per year

It will take around 4 years (best case scenario) until the first aircraft comes off of the assembly line and then another 9 years on top of that to reach the required 54 aircraft.

This project should have been started 5 years ago

If some used MiG-29 are purchased along with some new ones, the FAA could always purchase some extra engines. The FAA has been overhauling the ATAR engine for the last 40 years.


Still crying over my glass of Malbec

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Argentine Defense Minister conferred the "Order of Merit Extraordinary Dr. Mariano Moreno" to his Chilean counterpart

(defensa.com) The Minister of Defense of Argentina, Agustin Rossi, decorated with the "Order of Merit Extraordinary Dr. Mariano Moreno", his counterpart in the Republic of Chile, Jorge Burgos Varela, during the latter's visit to Argentina to participate in the seminar "the reform of the Argentine military Justice", at the headquarters of the National Defence College.


The event was entangled in the bilateral agenda 30 years after the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship promoted by both ministries of defense and foreign ministries of both countries and aims to review and analyze the Argentina experience in military justice, as part of the reform being undertaken by Chile.

Also, consultants, officers and auditors of the Chilean Armed Forces will participate in the seminar in which the central aspects of the reform will be addressed; policy and institutional history; the new system of administration of military justice, and the main characteristics of the Disciplinary Code of the Armed Forces

This is basically a way of Argentina saying to Chile "please don't attack us, since we have no functioning military".



In honor of Popeye bottling has stopped for the week and labels are at half mast

Venezuela increases salary of the armed forces by 45 percent


(defensa.com) During the ceremony of inauguration of the new Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir López Padrino, increasing the salaries of members of the Armed Forces 45% communicated. The announcement was made by the President of the Bolivarian Republic and Commander in Chief of the Bolivarian National Armed Force (fanbase), Nicolas Maduro, who confirmed that will apply from 1 November.


The tremendous percentage would be justified by the need "to maintain the real income of our soldiers and welded" and in response to "economic war" as the business sector Maduro pound right country. This increase is in addition to that announced in May 30% and 60% last year, making members of the fanbase in one of the few groups that can cope with the effects of inflation affecting the country and according to some analyzes could exceed 70% annual rate this year. The measure would also seek to ensure the support of the military at this time.



In honor of Popeye bottling has stopped for the week and labels are at half mast

shen said:

Why the hurry? Is Argentina seriously thinking about taking on the Brits again before their aircraft carrier come on line in 2020?

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No, not at all. That ship sailed (or should I say sank) a long time ago. The need for expediency is due to the fact that the Mirage III/V that were retired in December of 2013 had no replacement. That is two squadron of aircraft, granted they had no intrinsic military value at this point, but they were a “place holder”.

In addition to that the 30+/- A-4AR are approaching 30 years of service and will need to be replaced soon.



In honor of Popeye bottling has stopped for the week and labels are at half mast

"Cordova" 9mm is the first pistol manufactured in Colombia, wants to be a flagship project of the country's defense industry


(defensa.com) Made by the Military Industria Colombiana, "Indumil" has been tested by sharpshooters, including members of the Armed Forces of Colombia. The "Cordova" is a semi-automatic pistol that uses nine-millimeter shells and is made of polycarbonate and steel of the highest purity. Your provider is plastic, allowing a noticeable weight reduction.

"A weapon of this type usually weigh between 790-800 grams, whereas the 'Cordova' for its technology has 740 grams weight favorable for manipulation," according to Edward Lopez, a mechanical engineer and project leader.


The gun aims to meet the medium term, domestic demand, primarily intended for the Colombian Armed Forces. Each year, it is estimated, about 5,000 units will be sold in the domestic market and export another significant number projected to countries in the region. Considered a flagship project of the Colombian military, hit the market with an asking price close to $ 500 and is expected to be marketed in several countries in Latin America.



In honor of Popeye bottling has stopped for the week and labels are at half mast