Warplanes: April 21, 2002

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In Colombia, the problem with modernizing the Air Force is money, and without US aid due to the drug war, there would be no modernization to speak of. Colombia wants to buy 24 light strike aircraft (probably Tucanos) to replace its aging AT-37s and OV-10s, but may have to keep the older planes in service as well due to the war with the FARC rebels. Colombia has received 50 tactical helicopters (UH-1s and UH-60s) from the US, but these are limited to counter-narcotic operations. The Colombians have purchased 14 armed UH-60s for use by the military. --Stephen V Cole