Colombia detects Orlan‑10‑like signals

Colombia's military detected electronic signals consistent with a Russian Orlan‑10 surveillance drone over Valle del Cauca, military sources and regional media reported on May 15. The detection was recorded by anti‑drone sensing systems that the forces use to monitor low‑altitude unmanned aerial activity, Caracol Radio and military sources said. ### Which part of Valle del Cauca recorded the signals? The Valle del Cauca department registered the signal on May 15, according to the Caracol Radio report citing military sources. The media account described the reading as a "signal associated" with a presumed Orlan‑10 platform rather than a visually confirmed aircraft. ### Who in Colombia disclosed the detection? (caracol.com.co) Caracol Radio named unnamed military sources as the origin of the information in its May 15 story. The report said anti‑drone systems used by the Fuerzas Militares logged the signature; the outlet did not publish a direct statement from the Ministry of Defense. ### What makes analysts call the signal "Orlan‑10‑like"? (caracol.com.co) The Orlan‑10 is a Russian reconnaissance UAV first fielded in 2010 and widely used for surveillance and electronic‑warfare roles, according to public databases and defense analyses. Signal patterns for Orlan‑10 family drones — including radio links and telemetry bands — are documented in open technical reporting and have been used as identifiers by passive detection systems. ### Did authorities say the drone entered Colombian airspace? (caracol.com.co) The Ministry of Defense has not issued a public, attributable statement confirming an airspace breach as of May 15, according to the media reporting and official press releases checked by this newsroom. Caracol's story repeats the military sources' phrasing that the signature was "associated" with a presumed Orlan‑10, which stops short of a definitive identification. (en.wikipedia.org) ### What counter‑drone capabilities does Colombia have in the region? The Presidency and the Ministry of Defense launched the "Proyecto Escudo Nacional Antidrones" on January 11, 2026, with an announced investment of $6.3 billion for phased procurement and operations, the presidency's press office said. The government said the program combines legislation, training and technology and that the first phase received a $1 billion allocation by presidential order. (caracol.com.co) ### Have anti‑drone systems already been deployed in Valle del Cauca? The Fuerzas Militares and regional authorities have been strengthening anti‑drone capacities in the Valle del Cauca in recent months, with public reporting noting delivery and testing of detection equipment tied to security operations around Cali and other municipalities. Local officials have cited the need to counter improvised or illicit drone uses by armed groups. (presidencia.gov.co) ### When will the government provide more details? The Ministry of Defense established procurement and oversight mechanisms for the Escudo Nacional Antidrones and invited companies to an explanatory session on January 16 as part of the project's rollout, the presidency's release said; the ministry has not, however, published a separate public timeline for additional operational briefings tied to the May 15 detection. The presidency's release put the total project investment at $6.3 billion and named the minister — Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez — as the official overseeing execution. (infobae.com) This article used regional reporting from Caracol Radio and official government material on the Escudo Nacional Antidrones; technical context on the Orlan‑10 was drawn from public defense sources. Further official updates may appear in Ministry of Defense press releases or briefings from the Fuerzas Militares in the coming days. (presidencia.gov.co)