Spain’s Council of Ministers has approved a €261.8 million ($305 million) program to modernize more than 100 Pizarro infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) currently serving in the Spanish Army. The program aims to extend the life and capability of the tracked combat vehicles through extensive upgrades to their fire control, communications, and electronic systems. Santa Bárbara Sistemas, the Spanish arm of General Dynamics European Land Systems, has been selected to lead the modernization effort and has been granted a €176 million ($205 million) loan to support the project. The program covers the midlife overhaul of 121 Phase I Pizarro IFVs, which were originally inducted between 1996 and 2003. Once upgraded, these vehicles are expected to match the performance and functionality of the newer Phase II fleet, which consists of 83 units currently in service. The modernization will focus on enhancing the vehicles’ fire control systems, onboard electronics, power distribution networks, and diagnostic capabilities. Improvements will also include upgraded interoperability across radios, data links, and friend-or-foe identification systems, as well as measures to boost crew survivability and protection against emerging battlefield threats. Additional work will include reviewing the mobility subsystems, integrating new navigation systems provided by the Spanish government, and updating both external and internal structural components. Santa Bárbara Sistemas will reportedly implement turret modifications to improve weapon performance, add an upgraded thermal imaging camera for the gunner, and modernize the commander’s control station for greater situational awareness. Spain’s Army currently fields 261 Pizarro vehicles, including 21 configured for command roles and 35 as Castor combat engineer variants. The modernization contract is scheduled to run through November 2031, with progressive deliveries expected during that period. The Pizarro upgrade forms part of a broader €5.55 billion ($6.47 billion) Spanish defense investment plan recently endorsed by the Council of Ministers. The overarching initiative includes major upgrades to Spain’s air and land-based training systems, signaling Madrid’s intent to revitalize its defense capabilities amid growing security demands in Europe. Analysts note that modernizing the Pizarro fleet will ensure operational parity with NATO partners while sustaining Spain’s domestic defense industrial base through long-term production and support work.
