The Colombian Air Force (FAC) decided to deactivate its Kfir fighters in 2022, after evaluating that the maintenance cost is high to keep the aircraft in activity.

The information shared by Defensa.com website points out that the FAC is struggling to find replacement parts for the fighters, and upgrading them with modern components is highly expensive, making it worth buying used combat aircraft.

Despite having received an extensive modernization recently, which included the addition of AESA radars (becoming the first fighter in Latin America with this type of sensor), the Colombian Kfir face availability problems, already reaching the end of their useful life. 

In 2019, Colombia had only 11 operational Kfir C10 fighters, out of a total of 20 in the country's air force fleet. Colombia acquired Israeli-made Kfair fighters in the late 80s, used by the Israeli Air Force.

The country even demonstrated interest in immediately acquiring F-16 fighters used by Denmark currently, but withdrew from the purchase, after evaluating the purchase of aircraft. In contrast, Colombia is currently evaluating a US proposal to acquire modernized F-16 Block 50 fighters.

With the early retirement of the Kfir, it is likely that Colombia will acquire some used aircraft available on the market, while negotiating and awaiting the arrival of completely new fighters. At the same time, the local government is working to get approval for the purchase of new fighter jets, amid protests from the country's leftist parties.

Without Kfir fighters or any other substitutes, the Colombian Air Force will not have an important air defense arm.