The Council of Ministers has given the green light to the contract for the supply of "battalion-type command posts" intended for the Military Emergencies Unit, after noting "critical limitations" in the current ones that necessitate the acquisition of "more modern ones".
These posts correspond to the set of vehicles —vans, pickup trucks, support units, among others— equipped with antennas, radios, computer systems, and various technological material that, although "they have been the subject of specific updates," face evident "technological obsolescence" and the "absence of spare parts on the market," according to the Council of Ministers' briefing this Tuesday.
The Government will invest approximately 17,498,720 euros in the replacement and modernization of these means. The framework contract will have a duration of four years and does not include an extension.
Aeronautical Software and Repairs for Military Drones
In addition, the Executive has approved an expenditure of 23,829,374.40 euros for the maintenance and repair of "Type II" remotely controlled unmanned aerial vehicles, that is, drones of the Air and Space Army that "cannot be attended to by their own resources."
The contract includes "aeronautical software development services, engineering, and structural repairs," as well as "networked training system engineering" —the training program and simulators used by pilots to learn to operate these drones—. This award will extend for two years, with the option to extend it for another two additional years.
Comprehensive Maintenance of the Pizarro Combat Vehicle
Finally, the Ministry of Defense will allocate 50,578,512.40 euros to the comprehensive maintenance of the Pizarro vehicle over the next four years, with the possibility of extending the contract for two more years. This is a tracked armored combat vehicle designed for troop transport.
The scope of the agreement covers the two variants of the Pizarro currently in service: the Infantry Combat version and the Cavalry version.