The Ministry of Defense puts investment linked to the Army’s Special Modernization Programs at €28.967 billion and aims for Spanish industry to account for 80% of that total. Secretary of State for Defense Amparo Valcarce outlined those goals at the opening of the ninth edition of the Army 2035 2E+I Forum, held in Toledo.
Valcarce called on the industrial sector to develop the capacity to meet the scale of the planned programs and argued that increased investment must be sustained over the long term. According to the secretary of state, budget continuity is needed to provide certainty for both the Armed Forces and the companies involved.
Land programs include capabilities and platforms such as the VCR 8×8 wheeled combat vehicle, the tracked support vehicle, Tiger and multirole helicopters, tactical radios, the MC3 and the VERT. The Ministry of Defense is also working to launch programs for new tracked and wheeled howitzers.
Patriot, counter-drone systems and navigation
Among the capabilities facing the greatest challenges, Valcarce cited the modernization of the Patriot system. The defense official pointed to limited availability of certain components required for a capability that, she said, is in high demand among allied countries.
The secretary of state also placed counter-unmanned aerial system capabilities and positioning, navigation and timing technologies among the priorities of the new programs planned for 2026. She linked the importance of counter-UAS solutions to lessons from the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East.
In navigation, the Ministry of Defense is working on PNT systems capable of maintaining forces’ positioning and orientation in scenarios involving degraded or disrupted communications. Valcarce also listed autonomous systems, tactical connectivity, command-post digitalization, protection and logistical support among the priority areas.
