Spain’s armaments procurement authority has awarded Indra Sistemas a research and development contract to contribute to the Spanish Army’s future main battle tank program.
Valued at €45 million ($53 million) and spanning two years, the contract is part of a special modernization initiative designed to sustain operational capability beyond 2040, when the Leopard 2E is expected to be phased out.
The program focuses on advancing critical technologies for a next-generation land combat platform, including cutting-edge electronics, integrated sensor suites, command-and-control architectures, active protection systems, improved mobility, and enhanced situational awareness.
The tank concept aims to extend effective firing range without increasing barrel length or sacrificing maneuverability. Planned capabilities also include the integration of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and unmanned aerial systems (UAS), operating independently or in coordinated swarms.
Interoperability with networked unmanned systems—and the ability to command and control swarming assets—is regarded as a key tactical advantage in future combat scenarios.
According to the Spanish government, the initiative seeks to deliver a next-generation armored platform capable of operating in highly demanding environments, offering performance well beyond current systems.
In addition to replacing the Leopard 2E, the platform is positioned as a potential successor to France’s Leclerc tank, opening the door to export opportunities across Europe and beyond.
While France and Germany are already advancing their own next-generation tank program through companies such as KNDS, Rheinmetall, and Thales, Spain is not yet a participant—though both efforts could align in the future due to shared goals.
