The Spanish company Indra Group and the German firm Diehl Defence have signed an agreement to develop a new missile defense system as part of a joint initiative aimed at strengthening Europe’s defense industrial base and advancing the continent’s strategic autonomy. The agreement foresees the development and production of air and missile defense systems, with particular focus on land-based solutions capable of addressing the current operational requirements of European armed forces.
The agreement was signed at Diehl Defence’s headquarters in Überlingen, Germany, by the CEO of Indra Group, Ángel Escribano, and the company’s Chief Executive Officer José Vicente de los Mozos. Representing the German company were Helmut Rauch, CEO of Diehl Defence, and Roland Greiner, Vice President of International Sales for Latin America, Spain and Portugal.
The cooperation includes the development of multilayer ground-based air defense systems, commonly known as Ground-Based Air Defense (GBAD). In its first phase, both companies will focus on the joint development of a medium-range solution tailored to the operational requirements of the Spanish Armed Forces, making use of the technological and industrial base available in Spain.
According to the companies, the collaboration could later expand into maritime and air domains, as well as emerging technologies related to missile defense. In this framework, Indra Group aims to consolidate a Spanish industrial capability focused on the development of new air and missile defense systems while also strengthening the country’s national defense ecosystem.
“We have the responsibility to forge technological and industrial partnerships in Europe to provide increasingly advanced defense systems to allied armed forces, meeting tight deadlines and growing production volumes. This requires changing the way we have worked until now and adapting to the new context,” said Ángel Escribano.
For his part, José Vicente de los Mozos stated: “With this agreement, Indra Group takes a step forward in strengthening its technological and production capabilities in a key field. In addition to the strong position already held by Spain and Indra in air defense, this agreement now adds the production in Spain of new systems of this type and missiles.”
The agreement comes amid growing defense investment across Europe. Spain has launched the so-called Special Modernization Programs (PEM) for its armed forces, with an estimated investment of €14 billion for 2025, while the European Union initiative ReArm Europe / Readiness 2030 aims to mobilize up to €800 billion in the coming years.
Within that framework, the European Commission recently introduced the first four projects under the so-called “European Readiness Flagships,” in which air defense plays a central role. In this context, Diehl Defence contributes its experience in ground-based air defense and guided missile systems, including the IRIS-T SLM, IRIS-T SLS and IRIS-T SLX systems, while Indra Group brings expertise in radars, tactical communications and command-and-control systems for air and missile defense.
Alongside this initiative, Indra Group continues expanding its participation in multiple defense and technology programs. In February, the delivery to the Spanish Air and Space Force of the first Airbus A400M Atlas equipped with the InShield missile self-protection system was confirmed. In March, the company also signed an agreement with Tresca Ingeniería to integrate it into its supply chain within a project for a future drone manufacturing facility in León, while advancing development of a new AESA counter‑battery radar for the Spanish Army.
*Images courtesy of Indra Group.
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