Colombia's security and defense challenges posed by UAVs in modern conflicts

Abstract

The integration of technology into conflict environments has clearly demonstrated real advantages for those capable of adapting quickly. Within this context, the present article conducted an analytical assessment of the main challenges facing Colombia in the fields of security and defense, due to the increasing deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in combat scenarios by both regional state actors and Organized Armed Groups operating within national territory. The research followed a qualitative approach through documentary analysis, based on an exhaustive review of academic sources and technical defense reports. Three key dimensions were identified: first, the regional geopolitical impact of UAV proliferation in Latin America, with emphasis on military cooperation between Venezuela and Iran; second, the characterization of Colombia’s current air defense capabilities in response to non-conventional threats; and third, the identification of emerging technological threats related to artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and cyberwarfare.

The findings revealed that the spread of these technologies has shifted the regional strategic balance and exposed significant limitations in Colombia’s detection systems, neutralization capabilities, and operational doctrine. Additionally, a high-risk scenario is projected for 2030 or earlier, in which Organized Armed Groups could incorporate first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones, emulating tactics observed in the Russia–Ukraine conflict. This scenario, combined with the risk of potential technological transfer from Venezuela, constitutes a multidimensional threat that demands a proactive response from the Colombian state, including investments in anti-drone capabilities, cyber defense, updated legal frameworks, and electromagnetic spectrum control.