General Atomics & SENER promote Predator UAS in Spain.

Acording to Defense Update, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is teaming with SENER Ingeniería y Sistemas, S.A., a Spanish engineering company, to promote GA-ASI's Predator Unmanned Aerial Systems in Spain.

SENER has said "that the company's expertise in delivering ISR systems to the Spanish Defense and Security Forces through the adaptation and integration of platforms and sensors and its capability to provide in-country operational and logistical support will contribute to the team's offering."

Spain has now several UAV-UAS programs on going.

*****

GA y SENER promocionarán el Predator en España.

Según Defense Update, la empresa General Atomics Inc. se ha aliado con la española de ingeniería SENER para promocionar el UAS Predator en el mercado español.

SENER ha afirmado que la experiencia de la compañía en la provisión de sistemas ISR (inteligencia, vigilancia y reconocimiento) a las FAS y a las FCSE, y su capacidad de apoyo logístico y operativo, contribuirán a la promoción de esta alianza comercial.

España tiene en la ctualidad varios programas de adquisición de UAV-UAS en marcha.

Spanish defence market forecasts by BMI company.

Last report done by Business Monitor International about the Spanish defence market predicts a solid outlook for the Spanish defence industry and a stable internal and security outlook.

BMI publishes specialist business information on global emerging markets for senior executives worldwide. A wholly independent, London-based company, BMI has specialized in the analysis of global emerging markets since its foundation in 1984. BMI's comprehensive range of weekly, monthly and annual reports contains the latest available data, forecasts and analysis on political risk, economic performance and outlook, the business environment, finance and leading industry sectors.

Three key ideas:

-Spanish security forces continue to focus their attention toward international threats. There are currently no major conventional military threats to the country, but the threat from international and domestic terrorism remains very real.

-The ongoing modernisation process at the heart of the armed forces, combined with an increase in Spain’s involvement in peacekeeping operations, has justified an overall increase in the defence budget. Also, in the light of the Madrid bombings and the pressing need to boost counter-terrorism operations, the new administration has opted for a 17.1% increase in the Security Services’ budget.

-Total expenditure is forecast to increase steadily from EUR9.03bn in 2005 to reach EUR10.15bn by 2010. The defence industry will benefit from planned increases in government expenditure. Restructuring and consolidation in the Spanish and European defence industry, and the state’s continued relinquishment of its hold on the industry, has allowed Spanish firms to increasingly integrate into pan-European and transatlantic markets, and gain greater access to international markets. As a result, arms exports are expected to rise in the near future, and imports are also likely to benefit from the government’s modernisation plans.

Spain´s UAV programs. Programas UAV de España.

PASI system

Spain will deploy several medium sized UAV in Afghanistan before next spring. The system is called PASI (Intelligence sensorized autonomous platform) and is based on the Israeli Searcher MK II-J model. This system has a 300 km range and autonomy of 12 hours. It can operate during day or night. Spain announced recently the purchase of 27 shorter range UAV “Raven 11 B” to complete the Searcher’s capabilities.

Moreover, last July Spain joined the franco-german project to develop a large, advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance missions. Spanish representatives signed a technical arrangement agreement on 18 July, in the risk-reduction phase. Apart from the French, German and Spanish parts of EADS, Indra of Spain and Thales of France were also parties to the agreement.

That agreement was the first step towards the European ISTAR UAV program, which is open to other European partners. It will provide a vital capability by the middle of the next decade.

****

Future European (France, Germany and Spain) advanced UAV

España desplegará antes de primavera varios UAVs de tipo medio en Afganistán. El sistema se llama PASI (Sistema de Plataforma Autónoma Sensorizada de Inteligencia) y el modelo elegido es el israelita Searcher MK II-J, que incorpora una de las tecnologías más avanzadas en este tipo de materiales, con un alcance de 300 kilómetros y 12 horas de autonomía de vuelo. Este sistema está basado en plataformas aéreas con posibilidad de empleo de día y de noche. Además España anunció recientemente la adquisición de nueve sistemas Mini UAV "Raven 11 B" (27 vehículos). Estos sistemas tienen un menor alcance y serán utilizados para completar la labor de los "Searcher".

Además, en julio pasado, España se unió al proyecto para desarrollar un gran UAV avanzado para misiones ISTAR. Los representantes españoles firmaron el acuerdo durante la fase de reducción de riesgo . Además de las empresas de EADS de Francia, España y Alemania, la española INDRA y la francesa THALES son también parte del acuerdo.

Este acuerdo supone el primer paso hacia el programa UAV ISTAR europeo, el cual está abierto a otros socios de la UE. Está prevista su entrada en servicio a mediados de la siguiente década.

Spain will acquire a SAR technology satellite. España desarrollará un satélite de tecnología SAR.

According to Infodefensa, a Spanish corporation will construct a civil-military purpose radar observation satellite for Spain. The project will cost €237,8 million and will be develop by HISDESAT Strategic Services. HISDESAT is participated by Hispasat (43 %),Insa (30 %), EADS (15 %), Indra (7%) and Sener (5%). This SAR technology (Synthetic Aperture Radar) system will complete the satellite observation capabilities of Spain with an all weather-night vision system.

***

Según Infodefensa, el Gobierno español ha aprobado la concesión de 237,6 millones de euros para la empresa HISDESAT para el desarrollo de un satélite por radar de observación de la Tierra y que tendrá tanto uso civil como militar. La sociedad HISDESAT Servicios Estratégicos, S.A., participada por Hispasat (43 %),Insa (30 %), EADS (15 %), Indra (7%) y Sener (5%), desarrollará e implantará un sistema de Observación de la Tierra con tecnología SAR (radares apertura sintética) y pondrá a disposición del Ministerio de Defensa. Este sistema completará las capacidades satélite de España, que por el momento no dispone de capacidad de observación de noche o con tiempo meteorológico adverso.

Spain purchasing MRAP. España compra MRAP.

After acquiring 120 LMV (Light Multirol Vehicle) from the Italian firm IVECO, Spain announces the purchase of 100 RG 31 MK5 for reinforcing her operations in Afghanistan and Lebanon. Both vehicles will substitute the Anibal, the BMR and the Vamtac.

The Spanish RG 31 will be armed with a SAMSON Remote Control Weapon Station from Rafael.

The deployment of the first 40 LMV have begun this February and the destination selected is Afghanistan.

***

Después de la adquisición de 120 LMV a la empresa italiana IVECO, España anuncia la compra de 100 RG31 MK5 para reforzar sus misiones en Afganistán y El Líbano. Ambos modelos sustituir a los Anibal, los BMR y los Vamtac que hoy en día despliegan en estas misiones.

El RG31 español estará dotado de una torre de control remoto SAMSON de la firma israelita SAMSON.

El despliegue de los primeros 40 LMV ha empezado este mes de febrero hacia Afganistán.