The Council of Ministers has authorized this Tuesday thirteen major contracts for an amount close to 12 billion euros, destined for the design, construction and updating of Navy ships, S-80 submarines, Taurus cruise missiles and submarine launch missiles, as well as the purchase of air defense systems. In total, the package amounts to 11,860,333,249.78 euros.
In the naval section, more than 1.7 billion is allocated to build a new intelligence ship --equipped with 591 million and an execution period of 74 months-- and an ocean hydrographic ship --for 345 million--, both commissioned to Navantia, as reflected in the references of the Council released this Tuesday.
This block of investments also includes the mid-life modernization of the Segura class mine countermeasure vessels --for 527 million--; the Galicia class amphibious assault vessels --for 594 million--; and other surface vessels of the Navy --for 209 million--. In addition, the modernization and evolutionary development of the S-80 submarines is added, with funding of more than 2 billion euros.
The approved package also provides for 996 million for the modernization and evolutionary development of the NH90 helicopters in order to ensure "operability and the necessary updates" of these aircraft. The contract is awarded to Airbus Helicopters España as "prime contractor".
In the missiles field, the modernization of the Taurus cruise missile (MLR/MLU-II) --for 65 million to be executed over six years-- is planned so that the fleet's operational capability can be prolonged "beyond 2040"; and the development, integration and acquisition of a submarine launch missile --for 792 million euros over nine years-- to equip the S-80 submarines, in line with the "NATO directives".
In addition, 480 million is earmarked for the "training of the national industry for the Taurus NEO program", a European initiative aimed at the development and modernization of a new generation of long-range air-to-ground cruise missiles.
The agreements also include the purchase of high-mobility and high-performance air defense systems --for 3,396 million--, as well as counter systems to unmanned aerial systems --for 1,450 million--, with the aim of strengthening protection against air threats.
Finally, the Council of Ministers has given the go-ahead to a four-year Framework Agreement for the logistical support of the fleet of aircraft Canadair CL-215 (UD.13), CL-415 (UD.14) and CL-515 in service in the Air and Space Force, for almost 38 and a half million euros, which replaces the previous contract that is already nearing its expiration.
The purpose is, according to the Council’s references, to "guarantee" the supply of "airframe spare parts" and "technical support for in-service support for these aircraft", considered an "essential asset in the suppression of forest fires".