General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has submitted an offer to produce 50 ASCOD armored fighting vehicles for Ukraine at its factory in Trubia, northwest Spain. The proposal was presented to national defense industry representatives by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, with plans developed as early as mid-March. Once approved, Santa Bárbara Sistemas, a Madrid-based GDELS company, will oversee the production at the Trubia facility.
The GDELS Trubia facility currently produces vehicles for the British Army’s Ajax program, Spain’s Castor armored combat vehicle group, and the Philippine Army’s light tank fleet. Spain has donated armored vehicles to Ukraine, including two armored ambulances and six Leopard A24 tanks. Nineteen more Leopard tanks are expected to be handed over from GDELS’ Alcalá de Guadaira factory in Seville after overhaul and maintenance procedures are completed. Spain has provided training courses for Ukrainian troops to ensure proper integration of the vehicles in the force.
In addition to land capabilities, Spain has donated Patriot and Hawk surface-to-air missiles to help protect Ukraine’s airspace.
