Indra and Telefónica are analyzing launching a strategic collaboration in cyberdefense and cybersecurity taking as reference the corporate structure of the Tess Defence consortium, controlled by the defense and technology company, according to sources familiar with the conversations have indicated to Europa Press.
Both listed companies have state participation through the State Industrial Holdings Company (SEPI). In the case of Indra, the public body owns 28%, which makes it its main shareholder, while in Telefónica it controls 10%, placing it among its three reference partners along with STC and CriteriaCaixa. In this way, the eventual alliance would have the backing of the Executive, as reported this Thursday by the economic newspaper "Expansión".
The possible agreement would be designed as a structure open to the entry of other companies and would also extend to the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Relationship between Indra and Telefónica
Consulted by Europa Press, both Indra and Telefónica have declined to make valuations about these negotiations for a potential alliance in cybersecurity.
The two firms, which already maintain collaborations in different technological areas, would study an associative model similar to that of Tess Defence, a consortium responsible for manufacturing the 8x8 Dragón armored vehicle for the Spanish Army and the Tracked Support Vehicle (VAC), projects awarded by the Ministry of Defense.
Tess Defence was initially constituted as an agreement between Sapa Placencia, Escribano Mechanical & Engineering, Santa Bárbara Sistemas —a subsidiary of General Dynamics— and Indra, with 24.67% of capital for each one. However, last June Indra came to control the company after acquiring an additional 26.34% and raising its stake to 51.01%.
This operation, announced at the end of October 2025, also implied that the rest of the partners saw their shareholding reduced, each remaining with 16.33%.
In parallel, ties between Indra and Telefónica are maintained in different joint contracts and technology projects.
Indra was chaired by Marc Murtra until January of last year, at which point he took the reins of the 'teleco'. In his speech before the ordinary general meeting of shareholders last March, Murtra already highlighted the operator's intention to strengthen its commitment to the defense business and to integrate cybersecurity solutions and 'cloud' services in the B2B sphere.
"We will invest in expanding the fiber network and 5G coverage in our 'core' markets, in increasing 10 Gbps fiber capacities in Spain and Brazil, in integrating cybersecurity and 'cloud' solutions in B2B and in strengthening our presence in defense products", he highlighted.