Expodefensa 2023 – The Colombian Navy and Indumil unveil the latest evolution of the ARCMIL remote weapon station

Merging the Colombian Navy, Armada de la República de Colombia or ARC in short, and that of Indumil, the two originators of the product, we obtain ARCMIL, which is the name of the remotely controlled weapon station (RCWS) for naval use developed jointly by the Directorate of Science and Technology (DICYT) of the Colombian Navy and the state company Industria Militar Colombiana

The ARCMIL was exhibited at the stand of the DICYT, and as Lt.Cdr. Breyner Jiménez, from the DICYT, told EDR On-Line, the product jointly developed by the two aforementioned entities is already in service with the Colombian Navy, which already acquired 16 ARCMIL deployed on ARC ships operating both in the Caribbean Sea and in the Pacific Ocean , with operational success.

The ARCMIL RWS stabilisation system allows compensating the ship roll and itch allowing accurate aiming. This is done using the cameras that are part of the sensor suite, which includes day and night channels as well as a laser rangefinder. The ARCMIL can be armed with numerous different weapons, the one exhibited at Expodefensa being fitted with a 12.7 mm calibre M2HB heavy machine gun. It can however be also armed with 5.56 mm or 7.62 mm machine guns, with 20, 25 or 30 mm automatic cannons, and even with 40 mm automatic grenade launchers like the Mk-19.

The weapon station is connected by cable to the operator’s console, which can be installed where needed. The version of the ARCMIL presented at Expodefensa is the evolution of the system, and exploits the experience accumulated in years of safe and reliable operation of the previous versions. The current ARCMIL was redesigned in order to lower the mass, which now makes it suitable for being installed not only on ships but also in riverine combat boats as well as on vehicles. Sensors, servos and actuators were also improved.

The manufacturers consider the ARCMIL a possible best-selling system also on the export market, thanks to the intense use on board Colombian Navy units, the improvements adding cutting-edge technology, and the price, which is retained quite competitive compared to similar competing systems

Should the Colombian Armed Forces require RCWS of that class, it is assumed they will acquire the national product in order to enhance the country’s industry. EDR On-Line understood that Armor International, the Colombian company that manufactures among others the Hunter TR-12 armoured tactical vehicle, already acquired by the Colombian Army and Police, is considering offering advanced versions of its vehicle, including one equipped with RCWS, and that has already shown interest for the ARCMIL, as part of the ongoing e of evaluating process.

Photos D. Hernández