- Yes
- No
- TT
- Premium
- Event
- Squadron
- I said No
History of the Cascavel in Colombia
Spoiler
In 1982, Colombia acquired 128 EE-09 Cascavel reconnaissance vehicles along with 56 EE-11 Urutu armored transport vehicles in a contract signed with ENGESA worth 90 million US dollars. Since their arrival, these units have become the backbone of the army’s cavalry mechanized forces. They have participated in several counterinsurgency operations, most notably the recapture of the Palace of Justice (1985) and Operation Plan Meteoro (2004), etc. Colombia has lost five of these vehicles due to attacks and ambushes, especially those involving improvised explosive devices. They are currently being retired due to obsolescence and age, and are awaiting replacement.
Colombian Modernization
Throughout its service with the Colombian Army Cavalry, it has undergone a series of modifications and upgrades that have enhanced its combat capabilities according to the needs of the conflict (third and fourth level modernizations). These include armor plating, optronic and targeting systems, as well as engine and suspension upgrades that have increased its power. These modifications alter its characteristics compared to the original Brazilian Cascavel:
Features Colombian Variant of the EE-09 Cascavel Mk-4
Following a bidding process to select the company responsible for modernizing the Colombian Cascavel vehícles, the national firm Armor International was chosen to upgrade their armor. The Colombian Army selected the new engines and transmission, and the South African company Rippel Effect System LTD was selected to modernize their fire control and aiming systems specifically for Colombia. As a result, the Colombian EE-09 Mk 4 Cascavel now has the following characteristics:
Manufacturer: ENGESA Engenheiros Especializados SA
Type: Cavalry Combat Vehicle (Colombia).
Crew
Three crew members: Commander, Gunner and Driver.
Size
Length: 6.2m (with weapon) 5.2m (body)
Height: 2.68m
Width: 2.54
Weight
Empty: 10.900 kg
Combat: 13.400 kg
Engine: MTU OM-366 Turbocharged Diesel.
Transmission: Allison 3000 SP of Electronic Modulation.
Benefits
Max Speed: 100 km/h
Max Range: 880 km
Fuel Capacity: 390 l
Vertical obstacle: 0.6 m
Maximum uphill slope: 60%
Maximum side slope: 30%
Armor
Outer layer of hard steel and inner layer of soft steel subjected to heat treatment + Monolithic ceramic armor
The fuel tanks were replaced with armored ones.
Aiming system:
IGS-4S (Thermal sight 1x - 4x zoom with LCD and specific Colombian software 90mm to aiming)
Vision Systems:
NVG
CCD
Thermal sight (Gunner and Driver)
Heading Sensor: Roll&Pitch -turret movement automation system ET-90 II-
Armament:
(1) 90mm Engesa EC-90 Cockerill Mk 3 Cannon
Spoiler
Amunition: 24 rounds and 20 spare
HEAT-T Antitank, HESH-T, HE-T, SMOKE.
(1) 12.7mm M2 HB QCB Heavy Machinegun
(1) 7.62 MG (Coaxial)
(2) Smoke systems with triple mounts.
With these new features, the Colombian EE-09 Cascavel stands out as a variant with improved performance and armor compared to the original Brazilian Cascavel (Mk-4 variant).
Photos
Sources
Spoiler
Ejército Nacional de Colombia (https://www.ejercito.mil.co/vehiculo-cascabel-244138/)
Webinfomil.com
(Blindados Colombianos: Engesa EE-9 Cascavel - Webinfomil)
Infodefensa.com
(Colombia retira del servicio sus blindados Cascavel)
(Colombia confía toda su defensa blindada al EE-9 Cascavel MK-IV)
(El Engesa EE-9 Mk-IV Cascavel del Ejército de Colombia)
Defensa.com
(Modernización de los blindados Cascavel del Ejército de Colombia-noticia defensa.com - Noticias Defensa defensa.com Colombia)