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BAE Systems Secures Contract to Supply Bofors 40 Mk4 Naval Gun for Colombian Navy Frigate.
On March 12, 2025, BAE Systems announced the successful acquisition of a contract from Damen Naval to provide the Colombian Navy with a Bofors 40 Mk4 naval gun system. This advanced system is intended for installation aboard the PES frigate, part of the Damen Naval SIGMA-class series, and will enhance the vessel’s capabilities for both anti-aircraft and anti-surface operations.
The Bofors 40 Mk4 is renowned for its versatility and effectiveness, having been delivered to eight countries since its inception in 2015. (Picture source: BAE Systems)
The Bofors 40 Mk4 is renowned for its versatility and effectiveness, having been delivered to eight countries since its inception in 2015. With Colombia becoming the second Latin American nation to adopt the system, it joins Brazil, which has also selected the Bofors 40 Mk4 as the primary naval gun for its smaller to medium-sized ships.
Stefan Löfström, marketing and sales director at BAE Systems Bofors, expressed the company's ongoing commitment to providing cutting-edge defense technology in Latin America. “We continue to be a trusted partner in Latin America, offering world-class capabilities to support the region’s defense needs and future growth,” he stated. “Our solutions deliver advanced firepower and rapid response, meeting the operational demands of the Colombian Navy.”
The Bofors 40 Mk4 is a compact and lightweight naval gun system designed to provide comprehensive defense capabilities. Capable of engaging both air and surface threats, the gun can seamlessly switch between various ammunition types, offering unparalleled flexibility. The system utilizes programmable 40mm Bofors 3P ammunition, which can be set in six different modes, allowing the gun to be optimally adjusted for a wide range of combat scenarios.
The system's proven effectiveness and flexibility make it an ideal choice for the Colombian Navy, providing the PES frigate with a reliable and adaptable platform for engaging diverse threats at sea.
Damen Naval’s Project Director, Jasper Oreel, highlighted the significance of the contract in bolstering the combat potential of the SIGMA 10514-based PES frigate. “We are pleased that BAE Systems Bofors will enhance the combat capabilities of the PES frigate with the Bofors 40 Mk4,” Oreel said. “This marks the first direct procurement agreement between BAE Systems Bofors and Damen Naval, and we look forward to deepening our business relationship as we move forward with the PES project.”
The Bofors 40 Mk4 naval gun system is scheduled for installation on the PES frigate in 2029, marking a significant step in strengthening the Colombian Navy's defense capabilities.