The certification was granted following an audit by Bureau Veritas, which validated the quality standards for the maintenance and calibration of equipment used in military and humanitarian demining operations.
The Metal Detector Maintenance Center of the 40th Engineer Maintenance Battalion received ISO 9001:2015 certification, establishing itself as a strategic leader in South America for technical support in the maintenance, repair, upgrading, and calibration of metal detectors and ground-penetrating radars.
“The risk-based approach allows us to ensure that every detector deployed to the theater of operations operates with high levels of reliability, reducing risks for our troops and the civilian population,” explained Lieutenant Julián David Conde Medina, head of the Metal Detector Maintenance Center. The officer added that this certification strengthens the Army’s technical capacity and reinforces the confidence of international organizations supporting demining processes in Colombia.
Between 2001 and 2025, the specialized center performed 39,885 maintenance tasks on metal detectors deployed throughout the country, supporting demining operations in various regions. Currently, this capability makes the military institution a regional leader, due to its accumulated experience in decontaminating areas affected by explosive devices and in protecting vulnerable communities.
The metal detectors used in demining operations enable the identification of electromagnetic variations generated by metallic components present in antipersonnel mines and other explosive devices hidden beneath the surface. Currently, countries such as Cambodia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Croatia, and Angola, among others, are also carrying out demining programs with the participation of military forces, specialized agencies, and humanitarian organizations, due to the impact these devices have on the civilian population and the stability of the territories.
The certification obtained represents a strategic advance for national security, given that, in this type of operation, a calibration error can mean the loss of human lives, which is why the international standard requires strictly standardized processes, technical traceability, and continuous monitoring of all equipment used.
The National Army Engineer Command is strengthening its technical capabilities and reaffirming its commitment to operational safety, continuous improvement, and the protection of life, thereby contributing to the fulfillment of its institutional mission and the strengthening of international cooperation in the field of humanitarian demining.
