Breaking News
Rheinmetall Expal to Supply EIMOS 81mm Mortar Systems to Spanish Armed Forces by End of 2027.
Rheinmetall, through its subsidiary Rheinmetall Expal Munitions, has been awarded a contract by the Spanish government to deliver 84 EIMOS 81mm mortar systems. The deal, valued at €150 million ($162 million), was announced on October 23, 2024, with deliveries expected to continue until the end of 2027.
The EIMOS system is slated for inclusion in the Spanish Army’s Fuerza 35 project, which aims to modernize the capabilities of cavalry units in the coming years (Picture source: Rheinmetall)
Although the exact number of units is not explicitly stated in the contract, it is expected that over 80 systems will be delivered. The agreement not only covers the acquisition of the mortar systems but also includes Urovesa Vamtac vehicles, which will serve as platforms for the mortars. The contract also encompasses the integration of these systems onto the vehicles, ensuring a comprehensive deployment capability for the Spanish Armed Forces.
The contract was managed by the Army’s Logistics Support Command (MALE) through a negotiated procedure without public notice, which allows for the direct selection of a contractor without the need for a public tender. This approach was justified by the Army on the grounds of technical necessity, stating that only a specific economic operator could fulfill the contract requirements.
Deliveries of the mounted mortars are set to commence shortly after the formalization of the contract, which is expected in the second half of October 2024. This vehicle-mounted mortar system is considered one of the Ministry of Defense's flagship projects as part of its new investment cycle. The importance of this initiative was underscored by the Secretary of State for Defense, Amparo Valcarce, during the third edition of Feindef in May 2023.
The EIMOS system, also known as the Dual EIMOS, was developed as part of a research and development program initiated by the Spanish Ministry of Defense to meet the needs of the Marine Infantry and the Spanish Army. It features an automatic fire control system and 360° aiming capabilities without the need to reposition or reorient the vehicle, enabling quick and efficient "shoot and scoot" operations. The Vamtac ST5 vehicle, which hosts the mortar system, is capable of crossing waters up to 1.5 meters deep without prior preparation and is equipped with a stress absorption system to enhance performance.
Additionally, the system includes a new-generation Inertial Navigation Unit (INU) for increased precision, and it is integrated with the Army's command and control system for artillery, known as Talos. The EIMOS system is slated for inclusion in the Spanish Army’s Fuerza 35 project, which aims to modernize the capabilities of cavalry units in the coming years. The system has already been in service with the Spanish Navy's Marine Infantry for two years, and the first units for the Spanish Army were delivered in late 2023, with deployment within the Paratrooper Brigade.