FEINDEF 2025 | Escribano captures Spanish Army's interest with its new Ferox 6x6 vehicle armed with the Guardian 2.0 Pro weapon station.

At the 2025 edition of Spain’s international defense and security exhibition FEINDEF, the Spanish company EM&E Group, also known as Escribano Mechanical & Engineering, officially presented its new 6x6 armored vehicle platform, the Ferox. Introduced on the second day of the event, the vehicle was showcased before a delegation of government officials, industry leaders, and technological stakeholders. The model on display was fully integrated with the Guardian 2.0 Pro remotely operated weapon station, also developed by Escribano.
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Key features of the Ferox 6x6 include a V-shaped hull for blast protection, EMI/EMC-compliant systems, and an engine that can be removed laterally for quick replacement within 40 minutes. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Ferox 6x6’s presentation marks a decisive step toward national series production, to be conducted entirely within Spain, at the Escribano facility located in the Parque Empresarial Santana in Linares (Jaén). According to the company, production lines will have the capacity to manufacture up to eight vehicles per month, translating into a yearly output of approximately 100 units.

The Ferox platform is the result of a strategic agreement signed during IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi between Escribano Group and the Emirati firm NIMR Automotive, a subsidiary of the Edge Group. This partnership granted Escribano full design authority and production rights, alongside the transfer of technology necessary for domestic industrialization of the vehicle. While the base platform originates from the UAE, Escribano has adapted and nationalized the vehicle for Spanish requirements, including mission-specific customizations. Escribano’s executives emphasized that this move not only enables technological sovereignty for Spain’s defense industry but also enhances local job creation and supports the development of a robust industrial defense base. More than 150 new jobs are expected to be created in Linares alone. The company has highlighted that its capacity will allow the delivery of fully operational vehicles within months, offering a potential short-term solution to delays associated with the Dragón 8x8 program, though the Ferox is not positioned as a competitor but rather as a complementary platform.

The Ferox is a 6x6 armored vehicle designed for high-intensity operations in both conventional and asymmetric environments. It combines a modular architecture with advanced protection systems to offer mobility, survivability, and operational flexibility. The vehicle measures 6,920 mm in length, 2,825 mm in width, and 2,630 mm in height. With a gross vehicle weight of up to 27,000 kg, it can carry a payload of 4,000 kg and accommodate a maximum crew of 3 plus 9 dismounts. The vehicle is powered by a 600 hp engine delivering 1,900 Nm of torque, enabling a top speed of 100 km/h and a cruising range of 700 km. It is equipped with an independent suspension system, run-flat tires, and central tire inflation for enhanced off-road capability. The Ferox can ford depths of up to 900 mm, climb 600 mm steps, cross 1,150 mm trenches, and handle slopes up to 60%, with a turning radius of 22 meters.

Key features of the Ferox include a V-shaped hull for blast protection, EMI/EMC-compliant systems, and an engine that can be removed laterally for quick replacement within 40 minutes. The internal configuration supports multiple mission profiles, such as troop transport, logistics, medevac, and command post operations. The vehicle integrates a dual independent air conditioning system, a high-volume underhull space for blast deflection, modular internal arrangements, and protected fuel tanks. Escribano highlights the platform’s low thermal and radar signatures, supporting survivability in hostile environments and making the Ferox suitable for a wide range of deployment scenarios, including national defense and international missions.

The Guardian 2.0 Pro remote weapon station supports various weapons, including the M230LF 30mm automatic cannon as standard, as well as alternative configurations with 12.7 mm heavy machine guns (M2), MK19 automatic grenade launchers, and the optional integration of up to four anti-tank guided missiles. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The showcased variant at FEINDEF 2025 was armed with the Guardian 2.0 Pro remote weapon station, which enhances the vehicle’s lethality and situational awareness. This turret features two-axis gyro stabilization and supports various weapons, including the M230LF 30mm automatic cannon as standard, as well as alternative configurations with 12.7 mm heavy machine guns (M2), MK19 automatic grenade launchers, and the optional integration of up to four anti-tank guided missiles. The station includes six smoke grenade launchers (ROXY or GALIX models), configurable fire inhibition zones, and ballistic protection. Its design prioritizes reduced radar cross-section and modularity, making it suitable for integration on a wide range of platforms.

The Guardian 2.0 Pro is equipped with an advanced electro-optical suite designed for all-weather, day and night operations. Its sensor package includes a day sight camera with a 1/2.8” CMOS sensor at 1920x1080 resolution, 30x optical zoom, and a display resolution of 1024x768. It also integrates a third-generation cooled MWIR IR camera with 640x512 resolution, 20x zoom, and dual field-of-view modes. The laser range finder operates at 1550 nm, offers a programmable frequency of 1 to 10 Hz, and provides a range of up to 15 km with ±1 meter accuracy. Detection, recognition, and identification ranges vary depending on IR or visible channels, with identification ranges reaching up to 8.56 km in the visible spectrum and 4.15 km in IR, for a NATO-standard 2.3 x 2.3 meter target. Elevation range is 0° to 60°, azimuth is continuous 360°, and stabilization precision is rated under 1 mrad.

Additional integrated features of the Guardian 2.0 Pro include a ballistic calculator for accurate fire control, GPS support, compatibility with external C4I systems, and optional integration of the Apollo electro-optical targeting module. The system supports Hunter-Killer engagement modes, ensuring coordinated operation between the commander and the gunner. Its compact design and robust sensor suite make it adaptable for vehicles operating in complex theaters requiring high precision, awareness, and firepower. The entire turret system weighs less than 750 kg, making it ideal for light to medium armored vehicles like the Ferox.

With a gross vehicle weight of up to 27,000 kg, the new Ferox 6x6 can carry a payload of 4,000 kg and accommodate a maximum crew of 3 plus 9 dismounts. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Escribano Group underlines that the Ferox’s role is not merely that of a stopgap solution. The company positions the platform as a long-term asset tailored to both national defense needs and export ambitions. The rapid production timeline, full national control over design and customization, and integration of Spanish technologies such as the Guardian 2.0 Pro reinforce the platform’s potential appeal to allied and partner nations. As part of its ongoing industrial growth, Escribano continues to expand its footprint in Jaén and across Spain, asserting its ability to deliver fully integrated and technologically autonomous systems. The Ferox project also coincides with Escribano's efforts to modernize Spanish defense production, amid growing interest from actors like Indra, which has launched its own armored vehicle subsidiary, Indra Land Vehicles, and is exploring synergies with Escribano.

During the FEINDEF exhibition, dynamic and static demonstrations of the Ferox were conducted in front of representatives from the Spanish Army, including senior defense officials such as Lieutenant General Fernando López del Pozo. The presentation was met with interest, and Escribano confirmed that it has the capacity to place combat-ready vehicles in the field within the current year. While the final acquisition decision rests with the Ministry of Defense, Escribano emphasized that the Ferox is production-ready and entirely assembled within Spain, using a platform adapted to national operational requirements. The vehicle is also envisioned as a multipurpose unit capable of mounting a variety of systems, including mortars, communications modules, and anti-armor solutions.

In parallel, Escribano Group is also showcasing its unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) Aunav BEST at FEINDEF 25, a modular and AI-integrated platform designed for complex missions requiring variable geometry and low logistical footprints. This reflects Escribano’s broader push to position itself as a provider of integrated defense solutions. The company now employs over 1,300 people and operates in more than 25 countries, with its newest production line in Linares set to significantly boost Spain’s defense manufacturing capabilities.