On May 8, 2026, President Gustavo Petro unveiled the Jaguar rifle, the first assault rifle designed and produced entirely in Colombia. The official ceremony took place at the General Jose Maria Cordova Arms and Ammunition Factory of Indumil (state-owned enterprise), in Soacha, Cundinamarca.
This domestically produced weapon will replace the Israeli-made Galil ACE rifle and is the cornerstone of the national government’s defense autonomy strategy.
The impact of the geopolitical crisis
The Jaguar project emerged from a technical evolution that was decisively boosted by recent international events. Engineering began in 2020 to reduce royalty payments and improve ergonomics, but development became a priority due to the barriers created by the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
On Feb. 29, 2024, the Colombian government announced the suspension of all arms purchases from Israel, effectively cutting off the flow of defense trade.
Subsequently, the severing of diplomatic relations on May 1, 2024, eliminated the necessary technical and legal support for co-producing the Galil ACE. This double rupture prevented Colombia from receiving essential components that it did not manufacture independently, such as precision cannons and targeting systems.
Given this scenario, the Jaguar became the solution to ensure the country’s defense could operate without depending on external suppliers who could block deliveries for political reasons.
Technical innovation for the national territory
The Jaguar uses 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition, facilitating its integration with the current logistics of the Public Force. Its structure is notable for the use of advanced materials, employing 65% high-strength polymers compared to 30% in the previous system. This innovation allows for a 15% weight reduction: While the Galil ACE rifle weighs 3.44 kg (7.58 lb), the new Jaguar rifle weighs 2.95 kg (6.5 lb).
Así es JAGUAR, el fusil 100% colombiano con el que el país fortalece la defensa del territorio.
— Mindefensa (@mindefensa) May 10, 2026
El fusil fue desarrollado y fabricado por @IndumilColombia e incorpora un 15 % menos de peso frente al Galil ACE, mayor ergonomía, modularidad y resistencia para operar en condiciones… pic.twitter.com/mo1f2ZmKZb
This weight reduction of almost half a kilogram is crucial for improving troop mobility in challenging terrain such as rainforests, coastal areas, and mountainous regions. Furthermore, the simplified design, with fewer screws and complex parts, streamlines maintenance during field operations.
National production and industrial sovereignty
Indumil plans to manufacture 120,000 units to equip the Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Police. The government ordered a halt to purchases of small arms abroad so that the Armed Forces can be supplied exclusively through the domestic industry. In economic terms, the production cost per unit is 20% lower than that of imported rifles.
To manufacture precision cannons, Colombia forged alliances with Turkey’s defense industry, focused on the transfer of metallurgical technology. This cooperation is strategic because it facilitates Indumil’s access to critical technical processes for the local production of cannons, allowing Colombia to develop its own components without the manufacturing restrictions or third-party licenses that constrained the previous system.
National identity and comprehensive autonomy on land, sea, and air
The name “Jaguar” was chosen to symbolize strength and a connection to the American continent, incorporating aesthetic details from pre-Columbian patterns that reinforce the project’s national character.
However, the Jaguar is not the only area of national autonomy. In March 2026, Cotecmar delivered the ARC 24 de Julio ocean patrol vessel, the largest ship designed and built entirely in the country, along with the ARC Benkos Bioho hospital ship for the Pacific coast.
Likewise, in the air sector, the Ministry of Defense formalized the acquisition of 17 Saab Gripen E/F fighter jets to replace the Israeli-made Kfir fleet, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2032.
With the start of serial production of the Jaguar in the second half of 2026, Colombia is consolidating a defense strategy that encompasses land, sea, and air capabilities with its own resources and a regional vision from the industrial hub of Soacha.