Colombian National Police Aviation developments
The Policia Nacional de Colombia (PNC, Colombian National Police) has a large aviation component, which consists of various types of aircraft and dozens of helicopters.
The police force, the largest in South America, is leading the battle against illicit drug trafficking and illicit crops in Colombia. Its aviation component has seen continuous modernisation over the last two decades with US support.
In the latest developments the PNC is set to receive another dozen Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawks redundant from US Army stocks. So far, 21 Black Hawks have been delivered, serials PNC-0600 to PNC-0620, two of which have been written off. Delivery of these additional Black Hawks will bring total deliveries to 33, and 31 operational helicopters.
Furthermore, the PNC is looking for additional aircraft in support roles. For this, an amount of USD 53,3 million has been earmarked to purchase two Airbus/Leonardo ATR42-500/600, bringing the tally of this type to seven aircraft, as serials PNC0241 to PNC-0245 are already in use.
Its current fleet of four Cessna 208B Grand Caravans will be augmented by one additional aircraft. A new type for the PNC will be the Embraer Legacy 600s, of which three are planned to join the large PNC aviation component.
Photos by Wim Sonneveld