Piranhas for Spain

The Spanish Ministry of Defense awarded a contract today worth 1.74 billion euros (2.06 billion US dollars) to a Joint Venture of General Dynamics European Land Systems-Santa Bárbara Sistemas (GDELS-SBS) and three other companies for the delivery of 348 8x8 wheeled armored vehicles (VCR), their maintenance, and international marketing. The GDELS-SBS contract amounts to 733 million euros (870 million US dollars). It is expected that the program will eventually include a total of about 1,000 vehicles.

The vehicle, referred to as "Dragón" by the Spanish Army, is based on the highly protected wheeled vehicle GDELS 8x8 PIRANHA 5 and incorporates all the Spanish technologies required by the Spanish Ministry of Defense. The vehicles are expected to be delivered over a period of seven years. Juan Escriña, GDELS Vice President for Tracked Vehicles and Artillery and CEO of GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas, stated: "As a reliable partner, GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas is proud to support the Spanish Army in protecting Spanish soldiers and enhancing their strategic mobility with state-of-the-art 8x8 wheeled armored vehicles."

The GDELS-SBS Joint Venture (JV) will produce the 8x8 VCR at GDELS facilities in Trubia and Seville, Spain, in collaboration with other Spanish companies. This Joint Venture includes GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas, Indra Sistemas, Sapa Placencia, and Escribano Mechanical & Engineering. The Spanish Ministry of Defense has commissioned a national industrial plan in which the Spanish industry must be involved in at least 70% of the total program. This Joint Venture was established to ensure that all operational goals and needs of the Spanish Army and the Spanish Ministry of Defense are fully met and to comply with the government's industrial plan requirements. GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas will involve approximately 650 direct and 1,100 indirect employees.

The PIRANHA 5 is one of the most advanced protected 8x8 wheeled vehicles and represents the pinnacle of the PIRANHA vehicle family. In addition to its high level of protection, the PIRANHA 5 features a flexible and spacious crew compartment and a generous payload. Due to its performance reserves, it provides an ideal platform for future developments based on upcoming requirements over its entire lifespan. In terms of mobility in operations, the PIRANHA 5 sets the standard in this vehicle class with its efficient all-wheel drive, hydro-pneumatic suspension, and steered 4th axle. The PIRANHA is part of the most successful western armored wheeled vehicle family - with more than 11,500 PIRANHA vehicles in service worldwide.

GDELS on the web: www.gdels.com