Colombia progresses towards Cessna T-37 and A-37 replacements

The Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Colombiana– FAC) is moving to finally replace its fleets of Cessna T-37B Tweet trainer and A-37B Dragonfly light attack aircraft, Janes has learned.

The T-6 Texan II is being procured by Colombia as a replacement for its ageing T-37 trainer fleet. A replacement decision for the A-37 light attack aircraft has yet to be made. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

With 12 T-37s, the earliest of which date back to 1968, and 10 A-37s from 1978 in its inventory, the FAC is now looking to replace trainer aircraft with the Beechcraft T-6C Texan II and the light attack aircraft with an as-yet undecided type.

A FAC officer told Janes in early June that the service is now finishing the purchase process for eight Texan IIs, with an option for another eight, to be delivered from 2021.

For the A-37 replacement, the FAC has considered types including the Aero L-159, BAE Systems Hawk, and FAdeA IA-63 Pampa III, but has now shortlisted both the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 and the Leonardo M-346.