Spain’s Council of Ministers has approved a €261.8 million ($305 million) program to modernize 121 Pizarro infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) currently serving in the Spanish Army. The effort, which will run until November 2031, aims to extend the operational life and enhance the battlefield capabilities of the country’s armored fleet.
The modernization contract will be executed by Santa Bárbara Sistemas, a Spanish subsidiary of General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS). To support the work, the government has provided the company with a €176 million ($205 million) loan. The selected IFVs belong to Phase I, which were originally delivered between 1996 and 2003.
Once upgraded, these tracked vehicles will achieve performance levels comparable to the Phase II Pizarro IFVs, offering enhanced firepower, mobility, and protection. The Spanish Army currently operates 261 Pizarro variants, including 21 command vehicles and 35 Castor engineering versions, forming the backbone of its armored infantry force.
Under the Pizarro modernization plan, key areas of focus include new fire control systems, improved onboard electronics, upgraded power distribution units, and integrated diagnostic and survivability enhancements. The vehicles will also receive upgrades to communication systems, data links, and friend-or-foe identification technology, improving interoperability across Spanish and NATO platforms.
Additionally, mobility improvements will involve refining the chassis, hull, and navigation systems, while turret upgrades will feature a new gunner thermal camera, modernized commander control suite, and other weapon system refinements. This initiative is part of Spain’s broader €5.55-billion ($6.47-billion) defense investment plan, which also includes upgrades to the nation’s air and ground training systems.
