BAE Systems has been awarded a contract by Damen Naval to supply a Bofors 40 Mk4 naval gun system which will be installed on the Damen-built PES frigate of the Colombian Navy to enhance its capabilities for anti-aircraft and anti-surface operations.
With this contract, Colombia has become the second country in Latin America to implement the highly adaptable and multi-target naval gun. Similarly, Brazil has chosen the Bofors 40 Mk4 as the standard primary armament for its small- to medium-sized vessels.
“We continue to be a trusted partner in Latin America, providing world-leading capabilities in the region to support future growth,” said Stefan Löfström, marketing & sales director at BAE Systems Bofors.
“We are delivering cutting-edge solutions that include advanced firepower and the lightening quick response that the Colombian Navy requires.”
The Bofors 40 Mk4 represents a compact and lightweight naval gun system tailored for both anti-aircraft and anti-surface combat operations. This system is capable of effortlessly transitioning between various types of ammunition, thereby offering adaptable targeting capabilities against aerial, terrestrial, and maritime threats.
The programmable 40mm Bofors 3P ammunition enhances the system’s combat versatility, as it can be configured in six distinct operational modes to achieve optimal effectiveness. This reliable 40mm gun, combined with cutting-edge munitions technology, establishes a platform prepared to address both anticipated and unforeseen challenges.
“Damen Naval is very pleased that BAE Systems Bofors will strengthen the versatile combat capabilities of the SIGMA 10514 based PES frigate with their Bofors 40 Mk4 for the Colombian Navy,” said Damen Naval Project Director Jasper Oreel.
“As this is the first (direct) procurement contract between BAE Systems Bofors and Damen Naval, we are looking forward to further establishing our business relationship and the PES project execution.”
BAE Systems stated that the Mk4 gun is scheduled to be installed on the PES frigate in 2029.
