Spain’s Council of Ministers has authorized the modernization of over 100 Pizarro infantry fighting vehicles currently in service with the Spanish Army.
The 261.8-million-euro ($305-million) upgrade program will run from the contract award until November 2031, according to Spanish media reports.
Santa Bárbara Sistemas, the Spanish subsidiary of General Dynamics European Land Systems, has been selected to carry out the modernization and has been granted a 176-million-euro ($205 million) loan to support the program.
The program entails the midlife upgrade of 121 Pizarro infantry fighting vehicles from Phase I, inducted into service between 1996 and 2003.
Following modernization, the tracked vehicles are expected to attain capabilities comparable to those of the 83 Pizarro infantry fighting vehicles in the Phase II configuration.
The Spanish Army operates a total of 261 Pizarro vehicles, including 21 command variants and 35 Castor engineering versions.
Pizarro Modernization
Key upgrade areas include the fire control system, onboard electronics and power distribution, integrated diagnostic systems, enhanced survivability, and improved interoperability among radios, data links, and identification friend-or-foe systems.
The upgrade plan also includes reviewing and updating the vehicle’s mobility components, integrating government-furnished navigation systems, and modifying both the chassis exterior and hull interior.
Santa Bárbara Sistemas’ planned upgrades reportedly include turret modifications to enhance the weapon system, the integration of a new thermal camera for the gunner, and modernization of the commander’s control system.
The move forms part of a wider 5.55-billion-euro ($6.47-billion) defense investment package approved by the Council of Ministers, encompassing extensive upgrades to Spain’s air and ground training systems.
