Day 2 ExpoDefensa 2025: Colombia Unveils Strategic Defense Innovations and Military Products.

Colombia used day two of Expodefensa 2025 to unveil a wave of indigenous weapons, drones, robotics platforms, and armored vehicles. The showcase highlights Bogotá's intent to strengthen military self-reliance while positioning its defense sector for regional export growth.

Day two of Expodefensa 2025 carried a clear message from Bogotá, according to Army Recognition correspondents on site: Colombia is accelerating its shift toward a more self-sustaining defense ecosystem. Industry officials said the latest lineup of precision-guided weapons, unmanned systems, and modular armored platforms reflects a long-term strategy supported by the Ministry of Defense to equip national forces with tools built at home while expanding the country's presence in Latin America's competitive security market. Several programs, still in various stages of prototyping or early production, were presented as part of a coordinated effort to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and to showcase capabilities to potential international buyers.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

At ExpoDefensa 2025, Colombian Company Black Squares presents full-spectrum drone systems tailored for ISR and tactical operations. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

One of the standout unveilings came from Indumil, Colombia’s state-owned defense manufacturer, which presented a cutting-edge 60 mm aerial grenade, the GADCI H.E. (Granada Aérea de Dispersión de Carga Incorporada - High Explosive). Designed specifically for UAV platforms, this munition represents a significant leap in the integration of air-delivered precision firepower into the Colombian Army’s evolving drone doctrine. With its compact form factor, the GADCI H.E. enables small and medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver pinpoint strikes on high-value targets or enemy positions with minimal collateral damage. Indumil engineers confirmed to Army Recognition that the grenade is equipped with a programmable fuse and an optimized fragmentation pattern, tailored for anti-personnel or light-vehicle neutralization in rugged terrain.

Expanding its technological portfolio, Indumil also unveiled a new ground-based robotic platform designed for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams. The compact tracked unit, still in prototype phase, features modular payload options including a precision manipulator arm, infrared sensors, and remote detonation capabilities. Designed for urban and improvised explosive device (IED) environments, the robot is being evaluated by Colombia’s military engineers for deployment in both counter-terrorism and internal security roles. While Indumil has long focused on traditional munitions, this pivot toward robotics underscores a broader institutional push to align with NATO-standard EOD protocols.

Further bolstering its small-arms offering, Indumil pulled the cover off its latest assault rifle, a fully Colombian-designed platform intended to reduce reliance on imported infantry weapons. The rifle features an ambidextrous fire selector, a full-length Picatinny rail system, and compatibility with NATO-standard 5.56×45mm ammunition. Field evaluations are ongoing with elite Colombian Army units, and senior officials hinted at potential exports to neighboring partners engaged in counterinsurgency operations. This rifle, built with modularity in mind, also accommodates grenade launchers and optical sighting systems, marking a departure from legacy systems.

Meanwhile, the private-sector firm Black Squares made headlines with its comprehensive display of unmanned aerial systems, including vertical take-off reconnaissance drones and tactical fixed-wing platforms optimized for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) operations. Black Squares' showcase included live mission-planning demonstrations and new ground control interfaces, signaling a move to provide full-stack solutions to defense clients. A senior engineer from the company shared that their new UAS line has been field-tested in high-altitude jungle conditions—an operational environment critical for Colombia’s counter-narcotics and border security missions.

Colombian armor specialist Armor International also took center stage with upgraded variants of its proven Hunter TR-12 4x4 armored vehicle. The latest models feature modular armor enhancements, improved ballistic glass, and new anti-blast seating configurations. Designed for troop transport and reconnaissance in high-threat zones, the TR-12 has been deployed with Colombian forces and continues to attract interest from regional allies seeking cost-effective protected mobility solutions. The company emphasized the vehicle’s adaptability, offering versions tailored for internal security, peacekeeping, and border patrol roles.

Beyond product demonstrations, the mood on the show floor reflected Colombia’s growing confidence in its ability to become a regional leader in defense manufacturing. Conversations with industry executives and defense officials revealed a shared vision: transforming Colombian-made systems from niche national products into competitive offerings on the global stage.

Expodefensa 2025 is not only a window into Colombia’s defense capability—it is a strategic message to international buyers and partners. With growing internal R&D investments, a clear emphasis on exportable technology, and a focus on interoperability with Western systems, Colombia is positioning itself as a credible actor in the evolving landscape of hemispheric security.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.