The air forces of Colombia and Ecuador will standardize their radars to improve surveillance capabilities over their border, in a move that furthers the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Colombian Air Force (FAC) said in a statement that the initiative aims to “correct the lack of information on digital maps from radar over the border, eliminate discrepancies, and obtain more information from flights traveling over the border.”
Colombia and Ecuador share a 586 kilometer border through an area frequented by rebel groups, drug and arms traffickers.
The project will involve both countries conducting flights near the border to test their radar systems and ensure that they are functioning properly.
Diplomatic ties between the two countries fell apart in March 2008, following a Colombian incursion against rebels inside Ecuador.
Despite the slowly warming relations, Ecuador has said that the full restoration of diplomatic ties is dependent on Colombian authorities handing over hard drives captured during the raid.
