This innovative Center of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing, slated to begin operations in the last quarter of the year after a certification process, represents a significant technological leap. Its primary goal is the rapid production of essential components for defense systems, which will lead to up to a 50% improvement in the operational response capability of in-service vehicles.
The project is a result of collaboration between GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas, the Jaén-based company Novaindef, and the Andalusian firm Meltio. In addition to meeting the company's internal needs for the maintenance of armored vehicles and battle tanks, the center will offer its supply services to other companies in the defense sector.
The opening of this center comes during a period of remarkable expansion for the Alcalá de Guadaíra factory. Over the past year, the company has invested 10 million euros in expanding its production capacity and has increased its workforce by 20%. A cumulative investment of 25 million euros is projected over the next three fiscal years. The complex, which employs nearly 300 workers and boasts 25 hectares of production area and a 170-hectare integrated test track (unique in Europe in its field), has the capacity to deliver 100 vehicles annually.
Among the most relevant projects managed by the plant is the sustainment of the Spanish Army's Leopard battle tanks, with the delivery of the first renovated 2E version unit to the Ministry of Defense scheduled for next week. It is also responsible for the modernization of Pizarro vehicles and Piranha III amphibious vehicles. Furthermore, Alcalá de Guadaíra is the integration and testing center for the VCR 8x8 Dragón, the most ambitious land modernization program of the Spanish Army, valued at over 2 billion euros.
On an international scale, the plant manages the maintenance of 84 Hunter armored vehicles for the Latvian Army under a 225 million euro contract valid until 2037. It has also spearheaded one of the most innovative developments in the European industry with the Némesis self-propelled howitzer, the world's first capable of remote operation, designed, assembled, and tested entirely at its Seville facilities.
