Navantia, EXPAL and Elbit Sytems have officially presented TIZONA, the 30mm unmanned turret for the Program “Combat Vehicle on Wheels” (VCR 8×8) of the Spanish Army, at FEINDEF, the International Defense Exhibition held in Madrid from the 29-31 May.
An institutional event held at Navantia’s stand at the show had an important presence by the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces. Susana de Sarriá, President of Navantia, put in value “the national nature of our proposal, which in addition to generating an important workload in Cádiz, is a safe bet for the Ministry, in terms of production risk reduction and life cycle”.
Pedro Sallent, general manager of EXPAL, highlighted that “this alliance seeks to offer our Armed Forces a state-of-the-art weapons system produced by two Spanish defense companies, strengthening our technological sovereignty.”
The presentation of TIZONA in FEINDEF confirms the agreement signed by the three companies in December 2018, which will allow both the production in Spain of the towers and their future maintenance and updating.
In this program, Navantia provides the knowledge, experience, and facilities with a high capacity to integrate and manufacture weapons systems, artillery and medium-caliber weapons, while EXPAL will be responsible for the manufacture and testing of electrical and electronic subsystems, as well as their maintenance. Elbit Sytems, as technologist, will support the start-up and qualification of the new production lines, and guarantees the low technological risk of the program. In addition to the strong domestic production plan, the partners have defined an ambitious export plan, which will benefit from the strong international vocation of the Spanish partners.
The most advanced and reliable technology
TIZONA stands out for providing the most advanced operational capabilities and technologies for the Spanish Army. It is a high precision, combat-proven system, both in static and dynamic firing, thanks to the stabilisation features of the barrel and the performance of its lastest generation electro-optical systems, tested successfully in the most extreme conditions. TIZONA is integrated into the 8×8 Vehicle selected by the Ministry of Defense, including other selected subsystems such as the Spike anti-tank missile, coaxial cannon or smoke grenade launcher systems.
In addition, TIZONA will be available in both manned and unmanned versions with minimal modifications and a high level of commonality between both configurations, which would provide an important cost reduction for the Program.
The unmanned TIZONA turret has already been integrated into the same Piranha V vehicle for other NATO Armed Forces.
National value creation
This partnership will bring national value creation thanks to the development of a strong industrial plan that will generate high-quality employment for Navantia and EXPAL with around 300 direct and indirect jobs, as well as investment in production facilities.
The vertical integration of the technologist ensures a sustainable life cycle in terms of maintenance and development of new capabilities, as well as flexibility to transfer the production to the Spanish partners. This transfer of technology will allow the national industry to enhance and develop new capabilities, ensuring a progressive and risk-free introduction in areas of high technological content, to ensure sovereignty.
Navantia
Navantia, a company 100% owned by the State Company of Industrial Participations (SEPI), is a world reference in the design, construction, and integration of military vessels of high technological content, as well as repairs and modernisations. In addition, its lines of activity include the design and manufacture of Combat and Command and Control Systems, Integrated Platform Control Systems, Shooting Direction, Propulsion Plants and the Life Cycle Support of all its products. Although its main activity is the naval field, Navantia designs and manufactures systems for the Army and Air Force.
EXPAL Systems
EXPAL Systems is a global defense and security company. We offer high-end technology products, services, and solutions to meet the current and future needs of Air, Land and Sea Armed Forces. We are a trusted ally in over 60 countries adding safety, precision and advanced systems to any mission. EXPAL manages the entire lifecycle of ammunition, from R&D and manufacturing to maintenance and integration services, up to our leading demilitarisation solutions.
Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems is an international high technology company engaged in a wide range of defense, homeland security and commercial programs throughout the world. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land, and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (“C4ISR”), unmanned aircraft systems, advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, signal intelligence systems, data links and communications systems, radios and cyber-based systems and munitions. The Company also focuses on the upgrading of existing platforms, developing new technologies for defense, homeland security, and commercial applications and providing a range of support services, including training and simulation systems.