Defence in brief: BAE to provide Bofors 40 Mk 4 to Colombia

BAE Systems has been contracted by Damen Naval to provide its Bofors 40 Mk 4 naval gun for Colombia’s new frigate known as Plataforma Estratégica de Superficie (PES), according to a 12th March company press release.

The Bofors 40 Mk 4 is scheduled to be installed on the frigate in 2029 for the ship to be completed in 2030. The frigate is based on Damen’s SIGMA 10514 class design, which is also used by Indonesia and Mexico. It will be connected to Saab’s 9LV Combat Management and Fire Control system, which was announced in February 2025, and used to engage aerial and surface targets. 

This is the first direct contract between BAE and Damen, the press release states and Colombia becomes the second customer for the Bofors 40 Mk 4 in Latin America. BAE has sold more than 70 of the systems to eight customers since 2015. BAE also secured an eight gun deal with the Belgian and Dutch navies in November 2024 to equip the four anti-submarine warfare frigates the two countries are building. 

The Bofors 40 Mk 4 can fire Bofors 40 mm 3P (Pre-fragmented, Programmable, Proximity- fuzed) ammunition, which can be programmed to perform in six different modes including airburst, impact, and proximity. Selecting 3P ammunition would maximise the flexibility of the system and help the crew respond to different target types. 

Calibre comment

The Colombian Navy must prepare for a range of threats from drug trafficking through to armed groups, and illegal fishing. While it must also be ready to project force and defend Colombia’s coasts, the most likely use of the ship will be in intercepting smaller boats and vessels, as well as the potential use of drones. This means the Mk 4 Naval Gun may be one of the primary weapon systems used by the ship as it is well-positioned for engaging those types of threats. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on 14th March, 2025.