The Spanish Army has taken delivery of its first six Castor armored engineering vehicles from General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS).
The combat vehicles will support armored units and provide added mobility during ground operations.
A handover ceremony was held at a company facility in Seville, with state defense secretary María Amparo Valcarce García and several army officials in attendance.
“This new capacity … heralds a substantial technological advancement, empowering our sapper units with heightened protection, enhanced operational capacity, and increased mobility crucial for mission success,” García said.
The remaining 30 Castor vehicles under order will be delivered to the Spanish Army by 2024.
La secretaria de estado de Defensa @AmparoValcarce1, junto al #JEME @EjercitoTierra, ha presidido en la sede de Santa Bárbara la entrega de los primeros vehículos de combate de zapadores ‘Castor’. La #SEDEF ha destacado que “esta nueva capacidad de las #FuerzasArmadas supone un… pic.twitter.com/BfqWhOeoCQ
— Ministerio Defensa (@Defensagob) December 13, 2023
‘100% Spanish-Designed’
Based on the ASCOD 2 Pizarro platform, the Castor engineering vehicle can carry out tasks such as leveling, filling trenches, and clearing obstacles.
It can also assist in river crossing operations.
The armored vehicle can be fitted with a bulldozer blade, plow, roller, breach marking system, and a heavy mine-clearing hose launcher system to support other missions.
Additionally, the Castor features improved lethality, thanks to its all-weather target acquisition systems and 12.7-millimeter machine gun.
“This [vehicle] marks a historic milestone as the first 100% Spanish-designed and manufactured vehicle expressly tailored for the missions of our Armed Forces’ sapper and engineer units,” GDELS general director Juan Escriña said.
