RWS Selected for Spain’s Dragón 8×8 Programme
Escribano Mechanical & Engineering and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, with the latter’s Spanish subsidiary, PAP Tecnos, have successfully completed integration of Rafael’s Spike missile on Escribano’s GUARDIAN 30 RWS, selected by the Spanish Army for the D4 demonstrator of the 8×8 Dragón armoured vehicle.
The first launch from the GUARDIAN 30 demonstrated full compliance with the Army’s requirements and was – coincidentally – the first launch of a Spike LR2 missile from an RWS in Spain, demonstrating both the versatility of the Spike family and the additional attack capacity it brings to the GUARDIAN 30 RWS.
The successful collaboration between Escribano and PAP Tecnos began in 2021, and is set to continue expanding, with the objective of establishing a national strategic industrial plan of capacities aligned with the interests of the Spanish armed forces, supported by innovative and consolidated technologies such as Spike, a family of missiles that has been in Spanish Army service for 17 years. Thus, the capacities of both companies will provide synergy in generating a greater economic, industrial and technological return on the public investment made for procurement and maintenance of missile systems. This initiative strengthens Spain’s industrial fabric, and contributes to creating a technological and industrial base that provides autonomy in defence and security, by reducing fragmentation and promoting technological specialisation in a strategic industrial sector.
“The successful cooperation with Rafael and PAP Tecnos unites the capacities and technologies of two leading defence companies in Spain and internationally, and addresses the needs of our […] Army and armed forces. It has been a successful and solid cooperation for the achievement of this important milestone that provides our armed forces with the technological capacities they need to position themselves at the world forefront,” commented Ángel Escribano, CEO of Escribano Mechanical & Engineering.
Moshe Amsalem, CEO of PAP Tecnos, added, “This collaboration with Escribano Mechanical & Engineering is the first of many that are on the table. Between the two companies and other Spanish companies that will join the industrial plan we are developing, we are going to provide the Spanish armed forces with the best missile technology available, proven and with a great reputation in dozens of armies. The successful launch of the first Spike missile with the GUARDIAN 30 is an example of PAP Tecnos and Rafael’s commitment to collaboration with Spanish industry and of the excellent quality and superiority of the weapon systems produced in Spain.”
Since successful completion of testing and selection of the GUARDIAN 30 RWS for the Dragón programme in 2021, both companies have contributed expertise, technology and resources to integrate the Spike missile, creating a joint team which culminated in the successful first launch.
The integration of the GUARDIAN 30 with the Spike launch system confers a new and innovative strategic capability in the missile systems sector at the national level, contributing to the consolidation process in strategic capabilities required by the Spanish armed forces. The collaboration also enables continuation of the process of consolidating national capabilities in missile systems.
