Madrid-based Indra Group and Hanwha Aerospace in South Korea have signed a memorandum of understanding for the joint development of self-propelled artillery systems for the Spanish Armed Forces.
The deal centers on building a new family of tracked artillery platforms based on Hanwha’s proprietary K9 Thunder 155-millimeter howitzer, with technology transfer enabling local design and production to expand the NATO country’s domestic defense manufacturing capabilities.
Spain’s current artillery adoption plan, disclosed in July 2025, involves 128 tracked vehicles, 120 ammunition resupply systems, 11 command and control units, and 21 recovery vehicles.
‘Real Sovereignty’
Under the binding agreement, Indra will manufacture vehicle hulls domestically and integrate its own systems, including mission control, 360-degree situational awareness, battlefield management, and communications.
The firm will also design command post systems with integrated protection features.
Resulting systems from the collaboration are expected to feature high automation, long-range precision fire, and reduced crew requirements, delivering “reliable, future-oriented solutions” for the Spanish military.
“The alliance between two major global defence leaders … enables us to offer the Spanish Armed Forces real sovereignty and autonomy throughout the life cycle of a new family of land platforms that did not exist until now,” said Ángel Escribano, chairman of Indra Group.
Supporting Economic Growth
Additionally, the partnership includes a 130-million-euro ($150.7 million) investment to expand the company’s industrial capacity, including upgrades to its Gijón facility in northern Spain and the opening of a new integration plant.
The overall program is expected to create 500 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs, the corporation said.
“Indra, in its role as a driving force of the Spanish economy, is committed to the objective of positioning Spanish industry at the highest level…while leading — together with our partners — the major European defence programs now being launched,” Indra CEO José Vicente de los Mozos stated.
