The Colombian Navy (ARC) has made a request to the country’s government to acquire a shipment of new C-Star anti-ship missiles produced by South Korea, known by the designation SSM-700K Haeseong. This acquisition appeal stems from the fact that between 2018 and 2023, the Colombian naval forces fired a minimum of 4 of these anti-ship missiles during training exercises. This expenditure is notable, particularly considering that ARC currently possesses around 20 missiles of the same type.
It is noteworthy that the Colombian fleet utilizes the SSM-700K Haeseong missile, specifically the Block 1 Series 2 variant. This version can engage targets at distances of up to 180 km and boasts a flight speed of up to 1013 km/h. With a launch weight of 1067 kg, it has the capability to hit not only maritime but also ground targets, according to the Infodefensa.
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The idea of Colombia emerging as a purchaser of advanced weaponry like anti-ship missiles might be unexpected. However, a closer look at The Military Balance 2023 reveals a rather intriguing picture. The Colombian Navy boasts a robust fleet of missile-equipped ships, consisting of 4 frigates and 1 corvette, all armed with the South Korean SSM-700K Haeseong anti-ship missiles.
The history behind South Korea’s sale of C-Star missiles to Colombia is equally intriguing. The core of Colombia’s naval power consists of four Almirante Padilla-class frigates with a full displacement of 2100 tons and a hull length of 99 meters. These vessels, originally commissioned in the 1980s from West Germany, were initially armed with Exocet anti-ship missiles. However, during a modernization process in the latter half of the 2010s, they underwent an upgrade to the South Korean SSM-700K Haeseong missiles.
In 2020, South Korea gifted Colombia one of its Pohang-class missile corvettes, which was subsequently named Almirante Tono upon integration into the Colombian fleet. Interestingly, this corvette was also adapted to accommodate the South Korean SSM-700K Haeseong missiles.
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