Army’s “Star” modernization program, new Dragon 8×8 armored vehicle «They were born for a kind of war that is obsolete and no longer exists». This is an analysis given to ABC by military experts in weapons and materiel. « … The “major concern” is not because the delivery of the vehicles has been delayed for more than a year, but because they do not correspond to the characteristics of armed conflicts occurring today.
Deployment of new armored vehicles It’s the key to the Fuerza 35 program of the army. The 35th Brigade integration project is the core of the new organization of the land forces and is now seriously compromised by everything surrounding everything related to 8×8. Furthermore, we are in a period of greatest tension and risk since the end of the Cold War.
Why the most solvent military sources thinkAn unrelenting fiasco that cost 2.5 billion euros» They range from the project’s outdated concept, based on experience when six Spanish soldiers were killed in an explosion under an occupied BMB (wheeled medium armored vehicle) in Lebanon, and later in Afghanistan, to the technical and business problems that have accumulated since its approval in 2007 by the government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
“In current conflicts, such as the conflict in Ukraine, we face a new set of threats for which 8×8 is not prepared. Please explain your sources.” For example, nothing can be done oppose mass use of dronesor a completely different and intense scenario between developed countries with powerful weapon systems such as anti-tank missiles, artillery, cyberattacks, etc… none of which would be effective.
The situation was further complicated by the fact that each branch of the Army, such as infantry, cavalry, and engineers, wanted to have specific vehicles for their respective missions, and beyond the basic adaptation to the mission, the same models were chosen irreplaceably. Incorporating all the necessities of each disproportionately increased the size, weight, and cost of the vehicle.
The program was canceled in 2010 due to budget cuts, and in December 2018, the executive branch of President Pedro Sánchez’s government approved the spending of 2.1 billion euros to acquire 348 vehicles between 2020 and 2025 in the first phase. In 2019, the bid was declared invalid, and a year later Defensa awarded it to Tess Defense, a consortium made up of Indra, Santa Bárbara Sistema, Escribano and Sapa Plasencia. By then, the bill had swelled to 2.4 billion and promised to create 9,000 jobs.
Revenue 50 million
Developing the program was literally a disaster. Therefore, the government has decided that Indra’s majority partner will be the State Industrial Participation Company (SEPI), which will control 51 percent of Tesu’s shares. This means an income of 50 million euros for Escribano, which is currently in the process of merging with Indra.
Each test company had to be responsible for the components: the Indra, the electronics and the command and control system. Notary of towers and other combat elements. Sapa was responsible for the transmission and powertrain, while Santa Barbara was responsible for integrating the barge and elements manufactured by the remaining suppliers.
The results of public investment in this program have been “devastating.” According to the latest figures, the original budget of 1.2 billion has not only exceeded 2,500. That means that with only 25 units manufactured and none officially certified, the results are almost zero. And despite the fact that 1.28 billion was paid in advance Taking into account these data, the Ministry of Defense imposed a fine of 9.1 million on the consortium.
Apart from delays, technical issues are also increasing. For example, the vehicle’s transmission has serious problems and SAPA, the Tess Defense consortium company responsible for it, has not been able to improve its reliability. In fact, it was announced that a 2,000-kilometre drive test was successful, which is far too little for a vehicle whose useful life is supposed to be between 20 and 20 years. The problem is that until this issue is resolved, testing and integration of weapons systems and various combat towers will also not be possible.
As already mentioned, the weight of the vehicle is important. When fully equipped for combat, it weighs over 37 tons, so it cannot be transported by air. Since the 8×8 exceeds the weight of the Air and Space Force’s A400 aircraft ramp, it can only be transported with some elements disassembled and must be reassembled in the operational area in workshops set up for this purpose.
The worst part is that, at least for now, there are no alternatives other than sea and land. The only viable option is to transport them in the C-17 Grobnemaster, a type of aircraft that our military does not have.
Mobility and consumption
Of course, this has significant operational implications, especially as it impairs the ability to rapidly deploy to international missions. It also affects related parameters, both maneuverability and fuel consumption.
he excessiveweight It also causes serious inconvenience in the medium term. All weapons systems are designed with future modernization in mind, usually during the medieval period. When vehicle barges reach weight limits, the possibility of integrating systems specific to some versions is extremely complex and it is virtually impossible to incorporate new elements to counter new threats.
Rumors have surfaced that the program may be cancelled, as such absurdities can be avoided with proper planning. However, this seems unlikely, as assuming failure would incur huge political costs and damage the defense industry’s image. Although for many people that will be the best solution.
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