The Spanish companies TECNOVE S.L. and Escribano Mechanical & Engineering (EM&E Group) are advancing in a joint project with the Ukrainian company NVO Praktika to begin the production of various types of armored vehicles in Spain intended to equip the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as other partner countries of the European Union.
The agreement was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NVO Praktika, a member of the League of Defense Companies of Ukraine, and the Spanish firms TECNOVE S.L. and EM&E Group. According to the Ukrainian company, this is the first joint armored vehicle production project with European partners within the territory of the European Union.
The memorandum establishes industrial cooperation for the development and manufacturing of military and specialized vehicles. It includes the design and assembly of armored vehicles in Spain using components produced at Praktika’s facilities in Ukraine. Production will take place in a 25,000 m² industrial complex located in Herencia, Madrid region, recently inaugurated by Tecnove.
Among the types of vehicles included are multipurpose military armored vehicles, fire support vehicles, specialized units such as ambulances, electronic warfare vehicles, and command posts, and finally, non-militarized platforms for demining tasks and explosive transport.
NVO Praktika’s director, Yulia Vysotska, stated: “For us, it is a logical step to transfer the combat experience of Ukrainian armored vehicles to joint production lines with EU partners. Cooperation with Tecnove and Escribano will make it possible to simultaneously strengthen Ukraine’s Defense Forces and provide allies with modern solutions proven in combat,” she said.
The company stressed that these projects do not replace Ukrainian industrial capacity but rather complement it to accelerate the supply of military equipment. The cooperation complies with the legislation of both countries, including export control regimes.
The project gains relevance in the context of the assistance package announced by Spain, which includes 40 missiles for IRIS-T air defense systems and the joint development of long-range detection radars. The memorandum represents progress toward long-term industrial cooperation.
Featured Praktika products
NVO Praktika has developed various vehicles used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, such as the Kozak. This is a family of infantry mobility vehicles with a V-shaped hull designed to transport personnel and cargo. Its first appearance was during the Ukrainian Independence Day military parade in 2009. Among its main features are its weight of 5.5 tons and dimensions of 5.475 meters in length, 1.95 meters in width, and 2.3 meters in height, with capacity for up to 5 people.
Another example is the Otaman 6×6, an armored combat vehicle introduced in 2017 and based on the BTR-60. It can operate as an armored personnel carrier, infantry fighting vehicle, or ambulance. Notable characteristics include its weight of 16 tons and dimensions of 6.7 meters in length, 2.66 meters in width, and 2.45 meters in height. With its 320 HP engine, it can carry up to 12 soldiers, and its 122 mm cannon has an operational range of between 10 and 15 km.
Finally, the Jura is a model officially presented on October 7, 2024. It is based on the chassis of the Toyota Land Cruiser 70 and was initially assigned to the 40th Independent Artillery Brigade.
Cover image of the Kozak-2 for illustrative purposes.
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