Santa Bárbara Sistemas (SBS), a subsidiary of the US multinational General Dynamics, has informed its works council that it will not renew twelve temporary contracts at its plant in Alcalá de Guadaíra, Sevilla. This figure could rise with the departure of another twenty workers in June and up to seventy more in the second half of the year, totaling 102 affected employees. The workforce, currently around 350 people, could be reduced to 250 by the end of 2026.
This decision stems from a lack of workload, caused by the Ministry of Defense's suspension of maintenance programs for the Leopard battle tanks and SIAC howitzers. The maintenance contract for the Leopards, valued at approximately 200 million euros, was due to end this year without the expected extension, and the SIAC howitzer program, worth 40 million euros, remains largely paralyzed. Ministry sources state that these programs "are not cancelled".
The situation raises concerns not only for direct employment but also for the industrial network linked to the company, a key player in the defense sector in Andalusia. The absence of sufficient projects to ensure activity between 2027 and 2029 could jeopardize the development of the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence announced for Alcalá de Guadaíra, a project with an anticipated investment of 60 million euros.
The company has informed the works council that the reduction in activity may lead to a loss of industrial knowledge and strategic capabilities that would be difficult to recover, particularly at a time when Spain and the European Union are focused on strengthening their defense industrial autonomy. The Seville plant also plays a crucial role in the integration and testing of the VCR 8x8 Dragón.
“"The company is considering all possible options as own funds have been advanced for these two programs, and they are currently incurring financial losses."
Uncertainty looms over a plant considered vital for the Spanish defense industry and for skilled employment in the metropolitan area of Sevilla, where over a hundred families could be affected.
