Indra Group and Diehl Defence Sign Agreement for a New Missile Defence System

Indra Group and Diehl Defence partnership

Spanish company Indra Group and German business Diehl Defence have entered into an agreement to create a new missile defence system. The joint undertaking is intended to reinforce Europe’s defence industrial base and further the continent’s strategic autonomy. It covers the design and manufacture of air and missile defence systems, particularly land-based solutions able to meet the present operational needs of European armed forces.

The deal was signed at Diehl Defence’s headquarters in Überlingen, Germany, by Indra Group’s CEO, Ángel Escribano, and the company’s Chief Executive Officer, José Vicente de los Mozos. Diehl Defence was represented by its CEO, Helmut Rauch, and Roland Greiner, Vice President of International Sales for Latin America, Spain and Portugal.

Ground-Based Air Defense systems for Spain

The collaboration covers multilayer ground-based air defence systems, generally referred to as Ground-Based Air Defense (GBAD). During the initial stage, the two companies will jointly develop a medium-range system adapted to the operational needs of the Spanish Armed Forces, drawing on Spain’s available technological and industrial capabilities.

The companies say the partnership may subsequently extend to naval and airborne applications, as well as emerging missile-defence technologies. Through this arrangement, Indra Group intends to establish Spanish industrial capacity for developing new air and missile defence systems and to reinforce the country’s domestic defence 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.

José Vicente de los Mozos added: “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.”

European defence investment and capabilities

The agreement arrives as defence spending rises across Europe. Spain has initiated the so-called Special Modernisation Programmes (PEM) for its armed forces, estimated at €14 billion for 2025. Meanwhile, the European Union’s ReArm Europe / Readiness 2030 initiative seeks to mobilise up to €800 billion over the coming years.

Against this backdrop, the European Commission recently presented the first four projects under the so-called “European Readiness Flagships,” where air defence has a prominent role. Diehl Defence brings experience in ground-based air defence and guided-missile systems, including IRIS-T SLM, IRIS-T SLS and IRIS-T SLX. Indra Group contributes its expertise in radar, tactical communications, and air and missile defence command-and-control systems.

Indra Group’s other defence programmes

In parallel with this initiative, Indra Group is broadening its involvement in a range of defence and technology programmes. In February, it was confirmed that the Spanish Air and Space Force had received its first Airbus A400M Atlas fitted with the InShield missile self-protection system. In March, the company also reached an agreement with Tresca Ingeniería to incorporate it into its supply chain for a planned drone-production facility in León, while continuing work on a new AESA counter-battery radar for the Spanish Army.

Images courtesy of Indra Group.

You may also like: Airbus presents the latest construction progress on the new C295 transport, patrol and surveillance aircraft for the Spanish Air and Space Force