The Ministry of Defense has entered into a contract for the acquisition of the tactical remotely manned aerial system (RPAS) from the company Airbus Defense & Space for the Air and Space Army for a value of 595 million euros. It has also closed other contracts of a military nature worth some 138.4 million. The Council of Ministers has allowed this Tuesday to carry out this contract with the company Airbus Defense & Space for the acquisition of high-performance drones (SIRTAP).
Along with the supply of nine complete systems and two simulators with instruction and training capacity, the contract includes initial logistical support. All this, explains defense, will replace systems of this type in service that are at the end of their operational life.
F-18 (C.15), with high availability and short delivery times, vital for the maintenance of the fleet based in Zaragoza, Torrejón and Gando.
Purchases to continue operating until 2035
Defense points out that these are extraordinary purchases that have been established as essential to continue with the operation of these combat aircraft until the year 2035 “when it is expected that their replacement by a new model will be possible.” For this purpose, the Government requests an import increase of 28 million euros in the 2023 annuity in the fifth amendment and 19 million in the seventh.
In addition, the Council of Ministers has approved the conclusion of the framework agreement for the acquisition of at least 5,800 rifles and 5,900 units of pistols for the Army in order to renew the weapons of the units that take part in peace missions, with an estimated value of 23.75 million euros.
The Council of Ministers has also authorized the execution of the contract to update the intelligence communications system, with an estimated value of 50,785,124 euros; and has earmarked another 16.9 million to update the Navy’s direction-finding system.
Lastly, the Government has authorized the execution of the contract for life and accident insurance services for the personnel of the Armed Forces, health civil liability insurance, and aviation civil liability insurance. The current contracts for these insurances end on December 31, 2023, without the possibility of ordinary extension, and the Government thus approves new contracts for next year for almost 18.2 million.
