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Colombia NATIONAL SECURITY
Armed Forces: In 1988 total strength estimated
at 86,300:
army (69,000) navy (10,600), and air force (6,700).
Military Units: Army organized into four
divisions
(consisting of twelve infantry brigades), special forces
and
logistic support brigades, four specialized battalions,
and
mechanized cavalry regiment. Navy organized into four
fleet
commands (including five marine battalions), coast guard,
and naval
air arm. Air force organized into three combat air
commands,
tactical air support command, one military air transport
command,
and one training command.
Equipment: Ground forces upgraded equipment in
1980s with
purchase of tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided
(TOW)
antitank weapons and armored vehicles; other armored
equipment
mostly of World War II vintage. Major naval vessels
included four
submarines, four frigates, four large patrol ships, two
fast attack
craft, three river gunboats, two coastal patrol vessels,
and eight
river patrol craft. Air force equipment included jet
fighters;
antiaircraft missiles; and various ground attack aircraft.
Police: National Police strength estimated at
55,000 in
1988; approximately 10 percent civilians. Police
subordinate to
minister of national defense. Police included numerous
specialized
units, including antinarcotics force and special rural
police. In
addition to National Police, Administrative Security
Department and
Customs Service had important law enforcement duties.
Data as of December 1988
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