South America takes on coronavirus
South America’s defence sector has increased its efforts in the regional fight against the global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
In Colombia, the Science and Technology Corporation for the Development of the Naval Maritime and Fluvial Industry (Cotecmar) announced on 24 March that it will begin to manufacture hospital beds for COVID-19 patients.
The company is usually responsible for producing naval ships and boats but it has been called upon by the Colombian government to help the national effort to stop the outbreak.
Holmes Trujillo, Colombian Minister of Defence, also indicated that 1,800 hospital beds are being made available by the military and National Police force including 200 at the Central Military Hospital of Bogota.
Meanwhile, in Uruguay, the National Army has begun manufacturing 20,000 face masks for health professionals. This is expected to be completed within 20 days according to Uruguayan Minister of Defence, Javier Garcia.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems]()
Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems
Air defence systems are continuing to appear top of countries’ shopping lists but broadly across different capabilities it is a sellers’ market, as demonstrated by backlogs and double-digit percentage point growth.
-
![Forging strong partnerships for warfighting communications in space (Studio)]()
Forging strong partnerships for warfighting communications in space (Studio)
Mike Moran, Director of US Government Business at Amazon Project Kuiper Government Solutions, highlighted the evolution of space as a critical warfighting domain at the Defence in Space Conference (DISC) 2025, held this week in London.
-
![Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plans]()
Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plans
In May this year, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the government plans to position Germany as “Europe's strongest conventional army”. A new blueprint outlines how this is going to occur through massive investment.
-
![European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmap]()
European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmap
Two of the concrete projects outlined in the readiness report, the European Air Shield and Space Shield, will aim to be launched by Q2 2026.
