Colombia gets additional M1117 Guardians from United States

The Colombian Army has received 11 ASV M1117 Guardian armored vehicles into service, adding to 145 units already deployed across multiple regions as part of the force’s modernization program, the army said.

According to the army, the newly incorporated vehicles are intended to support military operations in areas assessed as highly complex, improving security, mobility, and firepower for soldiers operating on the ground. The M1117 Guardians are being fielded to strengthen territorial control and protect civilian populations during ongoing security operations.

The army said the M1117 features multi-layer armor, day and night vision systems, and the ability to operate in both urban and rural environments. These characteristics allow the vehicle to support patrols, convoy security, and operations in regions with varied terrain and threat conditions.

“This incorporation is carried out within the framework of bilateral cooperation with the United States and the strengthening of the strategic capabilities of the defense sector to confront threats to the country’s security,” the army said in a statement.

Major General Royer Gómez Herrera, commander of the Colombian Army, separately addressed recent armored vehicle support provided through U.S.-Colombia cooperation.

“With a deep sense of gratitude, the Colombian Army, within the framework of the binational cooperation agreement, received from the government of the United States the donation of 33 ASV M1117 armored vehicles, which will help us strengthen military operations in the prioritized areas of Cauca, Catatumbo, and Arauca, with the purpose of protecting the population and stabilizing the territories,” Gómez Herrera said.

The ASV M1117 Guardian is a wheeled armored security vehicle originally developed for military police and convoy protection missions. It is equipped with ballistic protection designed to withstand small arms fire and explosive threats, and it can be fitted with crew-served weapons depending on mission requirements. The platform has been used by multiple countries in internal security and counterinsurgency roles.

The Colombian Army has operated the M1117 for several years, deploying the vehicle in regions affected by armed groups, narcotics trafficking, and organized crime. Its combination of protection and mobility allows units to operate in contested areas while reducing risk to personnel.