Spanish Department of Defence (DoD) and Tess-Defence sign a contract to manufacture 8x8 Dragón Wheeled Combat Vehicles

The Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, presided over the signing of the contract with Tess-Defence S.A. for the manufacturing of a total of 348 Dragón Wheeled Combat Vehicles (VCR Spanish abbreviation), with a duration of 10 years. Present at the ceremony held at the Ministry’s Headquarters on the 25th of August, were the Secretary of State for Defence, Esperanza Casteleiro, the Army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Francisco J. Varela, and the representatives of the four companies that make up the Tess-Defence SA; Sapa Operaciones SL, Indra Sistemas SA, Escribano Mechanical & Engineering SL and Santa Bárbara Sistemas SA.

The contract was signed on behalf of Defence by the Deputy Director General for Procurement of the General Directorate of Armament and Material, and by the General Director of Tess-Defence.

The 8x8 VCR will serve to renew the Army’s current fleet of BMRs and VECs and will be manufactured in different configurations in a project that is expected to generate around 9,000 jobs in Spain, mainly in Asturias, Madrid, the Basque Country and Andalusia, where the factories of the participating industries are located. With the signing of this contract, it is hoped that the objective of 70% national industry participation in the development and production phases of the VCR 8x8 can be achieved. The project also harbours ambitions of exportation which will allow the Spanish Defence Industry to position itself internationally in the highly competitive market. In this regard, the Minister claimed that a safe and secure Europe cannot be achieved without industrial strength.

Margarita Robles has also described the contract as “a historic milestone”, as “it is essential for the Army” in addition to representing a commitment to “well-equipped and prepared Armed Forces.” It will favour the development of the Armed Forces in the international arena,” while at the same time stressing that she wished to thank all the agents involved for their “willingness” to overcome the difficulties encountered and to carry the project forward.