The Comptroller General of the Republic recently warned about an imminent risk to the State’s assets due to possible irregularities in contract 012 of 2024, signed between the Ministry of National Defense and the foreign company Vertol Systems Company, intended for the maintenance and support of the MI-17 helicopter fleet of the National Army.
On August 12, 2025, the control entity began permanent monitoring of the contract after learning of journalistic information that reported alleged anomalies in its execution. According to the findings, there is a high probability of loss of more than 13 million dollars of the 16,231 million dollars given as an advancewhich is equivalent to 50% of the total value of the contract, estimated at 32.4 million dollars.
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Despite this disbursement, the The Comptroller’s Office reported that the physical progress of the contract barely reaches 8%, just over a month before its expiration, scheduled for November 15, 2025.. This disproportion between executed resources and real progress represents a critical risk of contractual non-compliance and calls into question the proper completion of the object of the contract.
The control body identified weaknesses in the economic, technical and legal evaluationsboth from the contractor and from the Ministry of Defense. Among the irregularities, it stands out that Vertol Systems Company did not prove technical experience or sufficient financial capacity to execute the contract within the established period. Despite this, the firm obtained legal endorsement, which contravenes the principle of objective selection.
Imbalance between advance and execution
The Comptroller’s report reveals that the contract presents minimal progress in the face of a high level of disbursement, which increases the financial risk. The Air Assault Aviation Division of the National Army and the contract supervisor repeatedly warned about the contractor’s non-compliancethrough letters sent on February 21, June 30 and August 23, 2025. However, the Ministry of Defense only initiated the due process of contractual non-compliance on September 3, reflecting a late response to
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Another element of concern is that Vertol Systems Company is a foreign company with no assets in Colombia, which makes it difficult to apply precautionary embargo or recovery measures. Besides, It is a limited liability company, which prevents its partners from responding with their personal assets to possible non-compliance.
The Comptroller’s follow-up also showed three modifications to the compliance guarantees, including an extension until March 11, 2025, with reduction of the required coverage percentages. Likewise, the policy that supports the return of the advance expires in November 2025, without covering the contract settlement period, which could extend up to two more years, leaving a gap in legal and financial protection.
Impact on operational capacity
The breach of contract has directly affected the operation of the MI-17 helicopter fleet.by not carrying out maintenance or purchasing the necessary spare parts. This situation has generated the partial immobilization of aircraft, limiting air mobility, troop transportation, logistical supply and the ability to respond to threats to national security.
The Comptroller General reiterated its warning to the Ministry of National Defense and the National Army, pointing out the need to take urgent measures to avoid the loss of public resources and guarantee the execution of the contract within the established legal and technical parameters.
VALENTINA DELGADILLO ABELLO
Portfolio Journalist
