Spain issues RfI for new 8x8 infantry fighting vehicles

[Zarvan]

Spain has issued an RfI to manufacturers for a new 8x8 vehicle to replace its existing 6x6 BMR vehicles. Source: PA Photos
Spain has reignited its search for a new 8x8 armoured infantry fighting vehicle (AIFV), a programme that had been one of the main victims of the country's defence cutbacks during the economic recession.

IHS Jane's has been told by industry and Ministry of Defence (MoD) sources that a request for information (RfI) was sent out to leading manufacturers earlier this month.

The new RfI comes six years after the original one was delivered for the project, when the previous government decided to upgrade the IFV fleet following several fatal attacks on army units during foreign deployments.

Right up until the start of 2012, the programme was still being labelled a "top priority" by the Spanish Army, only to be dropped the next year amidst continuing defence spending cuts.

It was only in this year's budget that the project reappeared with a EUR41 million allotment.

While the names of companies receiving the RfI remain unconfirmed, they are certain to include General Dynamics' Spanish subsidiary - Santa Bárbara Sistemas (GDELS-SBS).

General Dynamics recently finalized an order for its potential contender, the Piranha 5, with the Danish MoD.

Others expected to be on the list are the Società Consortile Iveco Fiat - Oto Melara (CIO) Freccia, Nexter VBCI, Patria/Lockheed Martin AMV, and the ARTEC Boxer. The MoD is understood to be expecting firms to respond to the RfI before the end of May.

The original RfI was intended to lead to the production of 300 vehicles in its first phase, estimated in 2009 to cost some EUR1.5 billion.

It was planned to concentrate initially on building troop carriers, scouting and command versions, with later orders to include recovery vehicles, ambulance, sappers, mortar platforms, explosive ordnance disposal units, and advanced observation models.

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Spain issues RfI for new 8x8 infantry fighting vehicles - IHS Jane's 360

 

[C130]

I like the KTO Rosomak also known as the "Green Monster" by the Taliban.
that's what I would go for if I was Spain.