New Modernization Programs of the Armed Forces: 2.5 billion euros to Support Naval And Aeronautical Sectors
(Source: Spanish Council of Ministers; issued May 20, 2005)
(Issued in Spanish only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)
MADRID --- The Cabinet has approved the development of four new modernization programs for the Armed Forces funded under the 2005 budget and authorized immediately.
The programs include the F-100 Frigate (one ship), the Naval Operations Vessels (1st batch of four ships), NH90 medium helicopters (1st phase with 45 helicopters) and short-range missiles for the ground forces and the Marines.
These are four programs of great importance from the operational point of view, for the necessary modernization of the armed forces, allowing them to fulfill their permanent national missions and carry out the international commitments of Spain. In addition, the four approved programs have a high technological and industrial interest that will allow the consolidation of strategic sectors of the Spanish industry.
The programs, with a total cost of 2,500 million euros, will generate significant work for the naval, aeronautical and electronic sectors, generating 1,500 direct jobs and 1,600 indirect ones and very significantly impelling the activities of the Navantia shipyards and creating a true helicopter industry in Spain.
--Naval Programs:
Both naval programs ensure workload for the Navantia shipyards at Ferrol, with 500 jobs for period 2006-2011, and at Cadiz, with 400 jobs for period 2006-2010.
The contracts cover the construction of the lead ship of a new class of ocean-going patrol ships, which are very necessary for countries having extended coastlines, and which should create significant interest on the export market.
The design of the new platform could be used to meet other existing and future requirements of the Navy, such as intelligence-gathering, hydrography, diver support and mine countermeasures.
With these contracts and the institutional support and the orders already skilled, Defense guarantees the workload portfolio Navatia and, by extension, of their subcontractors.
The construction of a fifth F-100 frigate and the four naval operations ships is made necessary by the end of the operational life of the Balearic-class frigates, scheduled for 2010, by the need to maintain the capability to escort the naval battle group, and by the requirement to carry out complex missions in Exclusive the Economic Zone and on the high seas in actions against the drug trafficking, the fight against the terrorism, anti-pollution and similar missions.
--NH90 Helicopter Program
In the field of helicopters, launch of the first phase of the NH-90 procurement will allow the consolidation of a national industry (Eurocopter Spain) that will create 600 new jobs in series production.
The acquisition of the NH-90 by the Ministry of Defense will have a very significant effect on the national and international markets.
The armed forces’ current medium transport helicopters are considered obsolete, because some models even date from the 1960s, and the acquisition of a new multipurpose model is necessary to ensure that the fleet remains up to date.
-- The short-range missile program will support 60 jobs over six years, will allow to specialize in state-of-the-art technology some manufacturing plants that are producing older conventional products for which future demand will be progressively reduced.
The present short-range missiles in service with the army and the marine infantry must be replaced before the end of their service life. Companies directly involved will be informed of the detailed industrial plans corresponding to each program, since, in addition to the main contractors, many other companies will benefit.
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