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Nodriza Patrullera de Apoyo Fluvial Pesada (PAFP)

The Heavy Riverine Support Patrol Boat (Patrullera de Apoyo Fluvial Pesada PAFP) is frequently referred to by its more common name Nodriza. In 2007 the Navy required the construction and manning of two patrol support River heavy VII and VIII on the part of the industry, maritime and fluvial (COTECMAR). Patrol support fluvial PAF are accessible and much rigor even work with the need to increase logistical capacity to combat River that elements they operate in the rivers around the country and comply with the plans and developments of established programming They were designed to operate on sites much rigor even work as a mobile base of operations. It occurs with the need to increase logistical capacity to combat River that elements they operate in the rivers around the country and comply with the plans and developments of established programming for the implementation and modernization of the National Navy.

These boats perform several integral combat functions of security, control, riverine interdiction operations, and logistic support. They form part of a Riverine Combat Group and provide direct support to the Riverine Combat Elements. Much like the Riverine Gunboats, these vessels provide an infirmary for troops, engine repair capabilities, and can function as a Command and Control platform. The design also includes a landing platform for mid-sized helicopters. This makes the PAFP an excellent asset for medical evacuation as well as joint operations requiring aerial support.

These units served well during the initial engagements along the principal rivers. This success, however, prompted a shift by the guerrillas away from the principal waterways and into the more shallow and narrow primary and secondary tributaries. The boat’s minimum draft of 0.75 meters (2.5 feet) forced a shift to the use of lighter units.

The Light Riverine Support Patrol Boats reduced their draft to 0.40 meters, or nearly one foot, making them capable of engaging the enemy in shallower rivers. They are about half the size of the Nodrizas. Both type vessels are restricted by their maximum velocity which ranges from 9 to 12 knots. This is compensated, however, by their heavily reinforced armored shell and overwhelming fire power. Each unit only requires a complement of 16 officers and enlisted personnel to operate. It is capable of housing and sustaining 39 fully equipped troops for up to 15 days. This, and its 1800 nautical mile range, makes it a superbly capable unit apt for the riverine environment.

The patrol boat ARC Juan Ricardo Oyola Vera is the sixth of a group of heavy fluvial patrol boats support of the Colombian Navy ( 'Army of the Republic of Colombia' - ARC). Specifically, it is classified as PAF-IV (Fluvial Support Patrol - Heavy - IV generation). Its futuristic and aggressive and inclined planes design due to the incorporation of modern techniques of marine production and ballistic protection. It was launched into service on July 26, 2006.

For various reasons, the PAFP is considered a success story in the evolution of Colombian riverine history.