Spain selects Piranha 5 as new 8x8

[Zarvan]

Spain is understood to have chosen the Piranha 5 as the base model for its new 8x8 prototype. Source: GDELS
Spain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has chosen the General Dynamics' Piranha 5 as the base platform for its new 8x8 wheeled infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) prototype, industry sources have told IHS Jane's .

While no decision has yet been openly announced by the MoD, the Spanish Army is looking to acquire at least 300 of the vehicles in an initial order expected to be worth about EUR1.5 billion (USD1.7 billion).

The Piranha 5 model, which is also being acquired by Denmark, was one of five solutions presented to the MoD earlier this year following a request for information (RfI), three of which were then assessed further.

The apparent decision to push ahead with the Piranha comes after the government earlier this year allotted EUR89 million for the Vehículo de Combate sobre Ruedas (VCR) project, which will be financed by the Ministry of Industry between 2015 and 2017.

The new 8x8 will replace the ageing BMR (Blindado Medio sobre Ruedas) which had to be replaced with stopgap orders for BAE Systems Nyala RG-31 and the Iveco LMV to provide troops with added protection against improvised explosive devices while serving in Afghanistan.

While no details have been released by the MoD, the initial order of the new vehicles is expected to concentrate on troop carriers and scouting and command versions, leaving more specialist versions to later contracts.

The VCR programme is also expected to include Indra and SAPA as key equipment suppliers for a project on which the government has said it wants to keep production in country.

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Spain selects Piranha 5 as new 8x8 - IHS Jane's 360