Spain invests in Pacdef 2024 Program for new NBC reconnaissance vehicle.

The Spanish General Directorate for Armament and Material Acquisitions (DGAM) has earmarked a budget of 67.6 million euros in the Defense Ministry's Annual Procurement Plan for 2024 (Pacdef 2024) for the purchase of a new Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) reconnaissance vehicle, nicknamed "Pitón".
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Vamtac to serve as the basis for the Spanish army's new NBC vehicle. (Picture source: NATO)

This initiative aims to enhance defense capabilities against NBC threats for units such as the Valencia NBC Defense Regiment No. 1, the eight brigades of the Spanish Army equipped with a specialized company featuring a light reconnaissance section, as well as the general commands of Ceuta and Melilla, which have an NBC control center.

Launched in July 2022, the Pitón program, led by the Ministry of Defense, focuses on the development of these ground platforms. According to Infodefensa.com, the budget for the production of the prototype exceeded one million euros (1.074.380 euros), due to the stringent requirements set within the Force 2035 definition process.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Spanish Army has emphasized improving the NBC defense and health capabilities of its units. The new reconnaissance vehicles are equipped with state-of-the-art chemical, biological, and radiological sensors to prevent any external contamination from entering the vehicle and harming the health of the soldiers.

Furthermore, an effort is being made to unify the Army's diverse NBC vehicle fleet into a single version. In early October 2022, Urovesa, located in Valga, Pontevedra, announced a contract from DGAM worth 1.3 million euros for the manufacturing of these NBC defense platforms.

Since July 15, 2020, Urovesa has held a contract worth over 146 million euros with the Ministry of Defense for the supply of 700 High Mobility Tactical Vehicles (Vamtac) to the Air and Space Army, Navy, Army, and Common Organs. Its involvement in the Pitón project includes the design, development, and manufacturing of a demonstrator for the future NBC reconnaissance vehicle, which was expected to be ready by the end of 2023. Although specific details about the vehicle have not been disclosed, it is widely assumed that the Vamtac, extensively used in the Spanish Armed Forces, serves as the foundation for its design.

The VAMTAC ST5, an acronym for "High Mobility Tactical Vehicle," is a versatile armored vehicle developed by the Spanish company UROVESA and primarily intended for the Spanish army, where it has been in service since 1998. This machine is designed to fulfill a multitude of roles thanks to its various variants, including the VAMTAC I3, S3, and ST5.

The Vamtac has a length ranging between 4.845 meters (about 15.90 feet) and 5.55 meters (about 18.2 feet), a width of 2.175 meters (7 feet 1.6 inches), and a height of 1.9 meters (6 feet 3 inches). It can accommodate a crew of four people, including a driver and three passengers.

Under the hood, the VAMTAC ST5 is powered by a Steyr turbocharged diesel engine that produces 188 metric horsepower (138 kW), allowing it to carry a payload of 1500 to 2000 kg. This machine benefits from a 5-speed automatic transmission and independent suspension on all four wheels (double wishbones with coil springs).

With a fuel capacity of 110 liters, the VAMTAC ST5 can travel over 600 kilometers without refueling and reach a maximum speed of 135 kilometers per hour, features that make it ideal for a wide range of military missions, from troop transport to reconnaissance operations and assistance in conflict zones.

Nothing is set in stone yet, and it will likely be necessary to keep an eye on the story to see the evolution of this new Spanish NBC vehicle project.