Colombia selects new RWS for LAV III
Colombia initially planned to field LAV-IIIs with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Samson RWS (Erich Samueth Cadavid)
Colombia will equip its 55 new General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) III 8x8 armoured vehicles with remote weapon stations (RWS) from the Australian company Electro Optic Systems (EOS), an industry source confirmed to Janes on 27 August.
According to these sources, 28 R400 systems and 27 R150 systems will be installed. Eventually, the army plans to upgrade the 55 vehicles with R400s.While the R150s will initially employ a 12.7 x 99 mm Browning M2A2 quick change barrel (QCB) heavy machine gun, the R400s will be armed with the Northrop Grumman 30 x 113 mm M230 Link Fed (LF) cannon.
The selection of EOS comes after the rejection of the Dual Samson stations from Israeli manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. In 2024, former President Gustavo Petro suspended defence cooperation and acquisitions with Israel, which an industry source said could have contributed to the selection of EOS equipment.
EOS is the third supplier considered for the LAV III after Kongsberg Defense, a Norwegian company, and Rafael. Final delivery for the RWS was initially planned for 2026 and is now projected for 2027 due to the supplier selection process, according the source.
The R400, weighing less than 400 kg, can integrate 30 mm cannons, machine guns, grenade launchers, and anti-tank missiles, according to EOS. Its stabilization and electro-optical sensors allow it to engage ground and air targets, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
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