General Dynamics is exploring potential operations in Spain and will bring new contracts to the country to manufacture armored vehicles.

General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS), owner of Santa Bárbara Sistemas, is analyzing potential corporate operations in Spain and plans to bring new armored vehicle manufacturing contracts to its plants in the country within a "relatively short period."

"We are always attentive to inorganic operations, but we are clear that right now we are focused on developing our portfolio. We have a very significant capacity in Europe (...) We provide 15 production and testing centers in Europe, with cutting-edge systems and the widest range of combat systems products that can be offered in Europe. This means that we have to be very selective in the inorganic growth we see ," highlighted GDELS president Antonio Bueno, in an interview with Europa Press.

However, he emphasized that any potential transaction will be "very specific and timely," given that the company is currently in several ongoing discussions in the defense sector.

On the other hand, the executive noted that GDELS is in talks with "many international clients" regarding the possibility of bringing new contracts to the company's factories in Spain.

" Spain, in particular, has very significant opportunities. We believe they will be available in a relatively short period of time, but, obviously, clients demand confidentiality (...). What's clear is that one of the things that attracts the international community is immediate capacity. The ability to deliver. This sector is currently in very high demand. The capacities available, not just productive but above all technological, are what they are. And I think being able to offer, as we are offering, immediate capacities, makes us very attractive," he explained.

In fact, this week GDELS officially began production at its factory in Trubia (Asturias) of 42 infantry combat vehicles ordered by Latvia to modernize the capabilities of its Armed Forces.

Meanwhile, the company is working on its new industrial plan for Spain, which will be presented in the coming weeks.

Regarding this new industrial plan, the executive emphasized that it is aligned with the State's defense strategy and that, in developing it, the company "listened" to Margarita Robles's ministry to understand the government's requirements and needs.

"We want to propose to our partners, through Tess Defence (the consortium that also includes Indra, Sapa Placencia, and Escribano Mechanical & Engineering), how we can, through Santa Bárbara and GDELS, strengthen the Tess concept (...) and make Tess and Indra a more powerful industry in Spain, for Europe, and for NATO," he added.

In this regard, the industrial plan GDELS is working on proposes proposing to Indra the establishment of a technological platform in Asturias to produce military vehicles and, from there, export them to the rest of the European Union and NATO countries.

The idea behind GDELS is to propose a business cooperation program that would be developed through Tess Defence and would be a technological platform with an "international reference vocation" for NATO and the EU, in which GDELS would be the "internationalization bridge" for European and Spanish technologies.

In this regard, for example, it is worth remembering that Indra made an offer for the Santa Bárbara plant in Trubia, although GDELS rejected the proposal.

Regarding the company's refusal to sell the Asturian factory, Bueno emphasized that they are "very grateful" for Indra's interest, while also highlighting the positive development at Santa Bárbara since General Dynamics acquired it in 2001.

"This sector, at a time like this, is full of corporate transactions. I think the most important thing for us is the pride it brings us to think that when General Dynamics bought Santa Barbara in 2001, there weren't many companies interested in it. In 2025, after 24 years of transforming it and making it a leader, the fact that it's a company of interest to leading companies fills us with pride. It means we've done our job and our homework well," he emphasized.