Interview with the Chief of the Colombian Navy

In an exclusive interview with Naval News, Vice Admiral Rozo Obregón, Commander of the Colombian Navy, provides a comprehensive look at the future of the Navy. With a focus on technological innovation, regional cooperation, and Colombia’s increasing global presence, the admiral discusses the Navy’s strategic vision for the next decade.

From strengthening ties with neighboring nations to expanding into the Antarctic region, Vice Admiral Rozo Obregón outlines the ambitious goals that will shape Colombia’s maritime defense and influence on the world stage. This Q&A offers a deep dive into the operational and geopolitical priorities of one of Latin America’s most dynamic naval forces.

NN: Admiral, can you please tell us about your strategic vision for the Colombian Navy in the next decade?

VADM Rozo: The Colombian Navy in the next decade will continue to consolidate itself as a force of regional projection and influence, with a focus on the implementation of new technological tools and advanced capabilities to ensure the defense and security of the country, thus contributing to the development of national interests.

With a diversified operational structure, the Colombian Navy through various Surface, Submarine, Coast Guard, Marines and Naval Aviation Units, allows it to respond effectively to contemporary challenges and in turn, we assume a commitment to the progress of Colombia, expressed in the constant work to renew, update and maintain the capabilities of our units to meet in a timely manner the needs of the Nation, in the broad spectrum of the defense and security of the maritime territory.

This comprehensive effort not only promotes stability in the country, but also enhances regional collaboration, reaffirming Colombia’s role as a key player in the maritime environment. The Colombian Navy is committed to a future in which operational excellence and innovation are fundamental pillars in the fulfillment of its Constitutional role.

NN: COTECMAR and Damen Shipyard recently signed a contract to build SIGMA 10514 frigates for the Colombian Navy. Can you please tell us about the target, timeline, and your expectations on this project?

VADM Rozo: Last August 10th of 2024 In the city of Cartagena, on board the training ship ARC “Gloria” we celebrated the historic signing between COTECMAR and DAMEN that initiated the contract for the provision of technical services, supply of materials, equipment and technical assistance of what will be the first frigate (Strategic Surface Platform – PES) built by COTECMAR to serve the Colombian Navy.

This project arises from the need of the Colombian Navy to renew its strategic capabilities of the surface force and to strengthen the national naval industry through technology and knowledge transfer processes.

The project is currently in the engineering phase; construction of the first ship will begin in 2026 and it will be commissioned in 2030. Considering the importance of the project for the country in terms of defense capabilities, industrial strengthening and employment generation, among other factors of national interest, we continue to manage resources that will allow us to continue the projected acquisitions for the replacement of the fleet.

This vessel will become the largest and most complex naval construction project ever undertaken in our country, thus establishing a milestone in the history of the Naval Industry in Latin America and will enable the Colombian Navy to have the operational capabilities required to protect the maritime interests of Colombians and contribute to the objectives of the country’s productive transformation.

The purpose of the Contract signed between COTECMAR and DAMEN is the provision of Technical Services for the Functional Engineering and Transition Engineering Phase I, supply of Materials, Equipment and Technical Assistance for the shipbuilding of the PES in Colombia by COTECMAR for the Colombian Navy (Armada de Colombia) as End User.

Our expectation is to successfully complete the Project by building the first frigate made in Colombia, which will contribute to the technological evolution of the Colombian Navy and COTECMAR. This project, scheduled to be completed in 2030, will bring benefits to the Colombian people through the generation of employment, development of technology and transfer of knowledge.

NN: As the regional cooperation has become increasingly important for maritime security and the overall stability of Latin America. Could you share with us how the Colombian Navy is strengthening relationships with neighboring countries in the region and what efforts are being made to enhance Colombia’s image on the global stage through its naval operations?

VADM Rozo: Speaking of Latin America, being the States with the closest geographical proximity, they share not only maritime borders, but also common security threats, such as transnational organized crime, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, irregular migration, as well as common duties such as the protection of marine ecosystems, however, it must be understood from two different perspectives, on the one hand Central America and the Caribbean and on the other South America and the Southern Cone. Under the cooperative security scheme, bilateral relations with Central America have historically been aimed at addressing common regional challenges and interests such as the fight against multi-crime, with emphasis on drug trafficking and related crimes, irregular migration, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, humanitarian assistance and natural disasters. However, the combined operations and exercises, the active leadership role in training and education and in the sale and maintenance of naval capabilities through COTECMAR, are only the tool to achieve the true strategic objective of the National Navy in the Caribbean of being a Navy with regional projection and influence.

In environmental matters, as mentioned above, Colombia through the National Navy has the responsibility to protect the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, which, as the largest reserve in the world, protects 65,000 km2 of marine and coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves, reef lagoons, seagrasses and wetlands. This biodiversity is essential for food security, the production of raw materials, climate protection and the conservation of endangered species. For their part, the roots, historical ties and border and cultural connection with the countries of South America have led to face common challenges and emerging threats that affect the region, leading to strengthen cooperative security in terms of naval diplomacy, reciprocity, interoperability and measures to increase and build mutual trust through the various instruments of bilateral and multilateral cooperation at the maritime and naval level, in favor of an agenda that includes reducing the factors of instability on the border, combating multi-crime with emphasis on maritime and river drug trafficking and environmental protection in the different oceanic, river and Amazonian ecosystems, focusing on lines of cooperation against Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU), contributing to the containment of the causes of deforestation, environmental protection and the environmental transition from Active Deforestation Nuclei to Sustainable Forest Development Nuclei.

In this way, priority has been given to areas of cooperation such as technological development, naval operations and exercises, strategic intelligence, information exchange, education, instruction and training, science, technology and innovation, logistics and naval industry, protection of human life at sea (search and rescue), as well as cooperation in river and Antarctic matters. On the other hand, Colombia’s projection in the Pacific Ocean is fundamental to strengthen its geostrategic position in the region and promote economic and commercial development.

The projection towards the Pacific basin allows Colombia to take advantage of its natural resources, including a diversity of marine resources and a wide variety of fish and seafood species, together with opportunities to strengthen trade alliances and multilateral cooperation spaces such as the Pacific Alliance. It is for this reason that areas such as Malpelo are a key geopolitical asset for Colombia, allowing it to exercise sovereignty, protect the environment, obtain international recognition, cooperate regionally and combat illegal activities, strengthening its position as a regional maritime power and eventually achieving territorial expansion through its possible extended continental shelf.

NN: Admiral, Colombia has been increasing its presence in the Antarctic region, which is crucial for scientific research and geopolitical interests. Could you elaborate on the Colombian Navy’s role in supporting Colombian efforts in Antarctica and how this presence contributes to regional and global initiatives in the area?

VADM Rozo: Colombia’s scientific contribution in Antarctica is led by the Colombian Antarctic Program (PAC), which since its creation has had the constant support of the Colombian Navy, where we as an Institution were part of the process of creation and design of this State project.

The national purpose with this region of the planet is purely scientific. For this reason, our role as Colombian Navy is to support the development of national science in a region with great difficulties, that is why we contribute in a dual role: scientific and logistic.

Regarding the scientific role, through the science and technology component, the Colombian Navy develops research projects focused on the safety of operations and technological development in Antarctica. This allows the Colombian Navy to enjoy a differential factor at the regional level, since there are very few actors in the defense sector that carry out scientific activities in this region. This also shows the vision of our Naval Institution, which links science to the fulfillment of its constitutional mandate.

In terms of logistics, through naval and naval aviation capabilities, the Navy facilitates the development of the Colombian Antarctic Program on board naval units, such as the ARC “20 de Julio” or the ARC “Simón Bolívar” of the Colombian Maritime General Directorate, so that our country can continue to carry out research projects through the four science groups of the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR); emphasizing that the participation of the Colombian Navy contributes to the construction of national autonomy to develop activities in Antarctica.

Likewise, these naval units strengthen international cooperation, as they provide support for researchers from other countries to conduct research on board our platforms. Likewise, support is provided to countries relevant to the Antarctic Treaty System for the transport of elements for the supply of bases located in the Antarctic Peninsula.

In conclusion, having the autonomy to develop expeditions allows our country and the Colombian Antarctic Programme to contribute to the conservation and preservation of Antarctica through the research projects that are carried out, which include advances and studies on the oceanographic dynamics between the South Pacific and Southern Ocean basins, operational and maritime safety, as well as the study of sea level rise, the presence of mercury in marine mammals and the quantification of microplastics, among other projects.

The polar regions are a vital axis for life on the planet. The impact that climate change generates, such as the increase in sea level and higher temperatures, will directly or indirectly affect our national territories even if we live in the tropics. Furthermore, these areas are geopolitically strategic, due to their relevance for international conservation and science, in a treaty we all recognize is a global example of cooperation between nations. Besides, the White Continent is a national strategic interest and Colombia seeks to promote cooperation as a Regional Leader in marine scientific research and conservation, as you know, in Colombia we have 30% of the national maritime territory preserved as marine-protected areas, which produces food and biological services for more than 360 millions of Caribbean and pacific inhabitants around Colombian watered, and the future of this ecosystems depends of the decisions that humanity will take for Antarctica. Within this scenario and under the framework of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty and the guidelines of the Colombian Antarctic Program, the Navy seeks to: – Contribute to the Colombian State acquiring the category of consultative member to have a voice and vote in the decisions taken within the scope of the Antarctic Treaty System. – Contribute to the development of science and thus understand the connections of that continent with the national territory. – Strengthen interoperability with other navies and develop capabilities in polar waters. – Disseminate Colombian maritime interests and project the Navy’s participation in the different global Antarctic forums, such as COMNAP (The Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs), where the main operational decisions are made.

NN: As modern warfare increasingly relies on emerging technologies such as unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, and cyber capabilities, how is the Colombian Navy adapting to these advancements, and what steps are being taken to integrate these technologies into its operational strategy?

VADM Rozo: In order to respond to how the Colombian Navy is adapting to technological advances, there is a development plan that contemplates, within the prospective scenarios, the modernization and acquisition of capabilities aligned with the emerging and disruptive technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Likewise, there are programs and projects in execution aimed at strengthening Research, Development and Innovation (R&D&I), such as the creation of the “Center for Naval Technological Development – CEDNAV”, focused on Naval Systems, the creation of the “Naval Science, Technology and Innovation Headquarters” and the technological modernization of the Naval Fleet through a coordinated work with the national industry and the academic sector, seeking technological sovereignty to boost the development and progress of the country with security.

The fourth industrial revolution has brought with it a series of technological advances that make institutions face constant challenges and changes that must be made to make them sustainable over time and in the face of competition. It is for this reason that the Colombian Navy seeks to modernize its capabilities based on the appropriation of new technologies and thus, provide an adequate management of its force structure.

The Colombian Navy established a strategic plan that is being implemented gradually through an institutional technological ecosystem that is projected in objectives and goals for four years towards the year 2042, in which all the academic, scientific, technical and operational institutional capacities and experiences of the Navy are integrated, including the participation or contributions of private companies and universities, to develop specific naval objectives of technological advancement that allow reducing risks and multiplying operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Currently, we have developed capabilities in information systems and software development, reaching a high degree of technological independence. This autonomy has allowed the creation of advanced technological solutions with our own resources, reflected in the digitalization and automation of processes. An important example of these advances is the development of the Orion Platform, which integrates drug trafficking information from more than 62 countries worldwide, registering alerts and operational results with real-time visualization and monitoring.

Moreover, emerging technologies such as unmanned aerial or naval vehicles (drones), artificial intelligence (AI) and electronic warfare are redefining modern warfare. Drones enable precise reconnaissance and strike operations, while AI optimizes decision-making and data analysis in real time. Electronic warfare, meanwhile, interferes with enemy communications and systems, increasing the effectiveness of forces. These technologies improve responsiveness, reduce risk and enable more sophisticated tactics, transforming the nature of conflict and military strategy.

We have remotely manned aircraft systems that are deployed from our ships in maritime and river security missions, but within this modernization plan, it is contemplated to venture into other lines of research and innovation, acquiring artificial intelligence capabilities, automation of the naval tactical network (CMS), the C4i2, security and cyber operational capabilities, search and rescue distress systems at sea and unmanned tactical systems, which as from the Sábalo project (2015) are implemented to operate in maritime, river, land and naval air scenarios to perform detection and neutralization of these new threats, for example, hydrophone systems to detect underwater naval drones, sensors and communication equipment resistant to interference, such as jamming.

In addition, the Navy is conducting research and development in order to implement cybernetic systems that allow the destruction of these new threats, although there are multiple options derived from technological advances, the Navy seeks to avoid dependence on external systems (satellites, repeater sites), maintaining a constant focus on the training and retraining of personnel in basic communications systems.