Sponsored by TEK Military Seating Limited
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31 Jul 25. Indra Group Closes the Purchase of the Duro Felguera Plant En Gijon for Conversion Into One of Europe’s Most Advanced Military Vehicle Factories.
- The company positions Asturias as the nerve center for the production, assembly and integration of land-based platforms, an industry with a strong technological component, huge growth potential and strong demand throughout Europe
- The agreement provides for the integration of the factory’s 156 professionals, who have far-reaching experience in the design and manufacture of heavy, complex industrial parts
- With this operation, Indra increases its industrial capabilities and positions itself as a benchmark in the Spanish and European defense sector, contributing to strengthen the defense industrial base and the sovereignty and strategic autonomy of Spain and Europe
Indra Group has today signed the agreement formally closing the acquisition of the Duro Felguera production plant in Gijón (Asturias), which includes the incorporation to Indra of its 156 professionals, with the aim of transforming the plant into one of Europe’s most modern military vehicle and tank factories. Indra thus increases its industrial capabilities and positions itself as a benchmark in the Spanish and European defense sector. It is also taking the first step towards making Asturias the nerve center of all its land platform production activity, a field that makes heavy use of cutting-edge technologies and with huge growth potential in Spain and the rest of the European market, due to its growing demand. The acquisition also strengthens Spain’s and Europe’s defense industrial base and contributes to ensuring European sovereignty and autonomy.
Indra Group’s CEO, José Vicente de los Mozos, highlighted that “today marks the beginning of the commitment I announced to bring together the manufacturing of high-value military land vehicles in Asturias, using 100% Spanish technology, through Indra Land Vehicles. It is a reflection of our commitment to Spanish talent and domestic manufacturing capabilities in a region with a long and rich industrial history we must revitalize, one with a network of experienced suppliers and highly specialized professionals that our country needs.”
José Vicente de los Mozos, pointed out that “this acquisition is aligned with the strengthening of our industrial capabilities, one of the objectives of our Leading the Future Strategic Plan, which will help us to continue to grow and become more competitive. We have to be able to produce more and faster, to strengthen our operational autonomy while also doing our bit to ensure the sovereignty of Spain and Europe”.
Following the completion of the operation, a ceremony was held to welcome the factory’s 156 professionals to Indra. They have far-reaching experience in complex tasks for the design and manufacture of heavy industrial parts and they will now be trained by Indra to work on defence projects. The company will also make a significant investment in modernizing the machinery and equipment and reconfiguring the production areas. The industrial plant acquired by Indra boasts 75,000 square meters, 23,000 square meters of which are covered, a space that Indra will upgrade to install new manufacturing and assembly lines for all kinds of military, tracked and wheeled vehicles. Indra’s plans include the sustained growth of the plant, with the aim of becoming a spearhead for Spain’s participation in the multinational programs set to arise in the coming years to develop state-of-the-art tanks, which will require the use of advanced production processes typical of Industry 4.0. (Source: ASD Network)
28 Jul 25. Old tank recovery vehicles get new life as M88A3 is nixed. The latest variant of the M88 Hercules has been canceled. The U.S. Army is shelving its plans to pursue a new variant of the M88 Hercules recovery vehicle and will pursue upgrades to the older version, the service told Defense News in a statement.
“The Army has made the decision not to pursue the M88A3 combat recovery system due to affordability and instead concentrate on improving M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System (HERCULES) readiness and reliability,” according to a Friday statement from an Army spokesperson.
The decision came after the Army concluded the M88A3 development effort in March 2025. BAE Systems is the prime contractor.
“Since April 2025, the Army has been exploring alternative subsystem improvements as well as vehicle level overhaul efforts that could be accomplished on the M88A2 in lieu of procuring new M88A3 vehicles as concerns regarding affordability came to light,” the statement said.
The Army is still working on a formal path forward, but Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems is working to initiate a service life extension program effort for the M88 in fiscal 2026.
“This path forward will allow the Army to fully concentrate on improving the readiness and reliability of the M88A2,” the spokesperson added.
Four U.S. Army soldiers were killed when their M88A2 vehicle sank in a deep peat bog in Lithuania during a training exercise in March. The M88A3 was intended to fill a capability gap to support the recovery of 80-ton vehicles with upgrades to the powerpack, suspension, hoist and winch, according to an FY24 Defense Department report from the chief weapons tester. The A3 variant was designed to eliminate the need to use two vehicles to raise and move some of the newer and heavier Abrams tanks. The M88A2 has been unable to recover modern Abrams tanks without working in a pair and created more costly and complex logistical constraints in operations. (Source: Defense News)
29 Jul 25. Italian truck maker Iveco (IVG.MI) said on Tuesday it was in “ongoing, advanced” talks with different parties for two separate deals regarding its defence business and the rest of the company. “The board of directors of the company is in the process of carefully reviewing and evaluating all aspects of these potential transactions,” the company said in a statement, without giving further details. Iveco added its board would keep the market updated in line with applicable laws. (Source: Reuters)
25 Jul 25. DE&S Deca North Wales supports USAF aircraft parts repair. The programme allows components of C-130 Hercules and KC135 Stratotanker to be repaired in the UK. The DE&S Deca at the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Sealand site in North Wales has been established as a forward repair hub for the US Air Force (USAF) air system components in Europe. The partnership, called the ‘Atlantic Eagle’ project, is expected to help USAF boost aircraft availability rates, save on time and improve operational capabilities in Europe. This also highlights the role of UK apprentices in bolstering international defence collaborations. Additionally, conducting local repairs for critical aviation components negates the need for expensive transatlantic shipping. The collaboration stems from a memorandum of understanding signed between US Air Force Sustainment Centre (AFSC), Air Logistics Command commander US lieutenant general Hawkins and Director General Air vice admiral Rick Thompson in 2024. The ‘Atlantic Eagle’ project encompasses two distinct components. ‘Pathway Atlantic’ focuses on the repair and refurbishment of parts for USAF aircraft. The ‘Eagle’ component is dedicated to the development of test programme sets (TPS), which includes ensuring compatibility between systems used by the UK MoD and the USAF. The collaboration has already yielded successful proof-of-concept repairs on Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) System components and ARC164 radio transmitters.
UK MoD Defence Support Chief of Defence Logistics & Support, vice admiral Andy Kyte said: “Atlantic Eagle exemplifies the very best of our transatlantic defence partnerships, demonstrating how UK expertise and innovation can directly enhance allied operational capability. By establishing DE&S Deca as a forward repair hub for critical US Air Force components, we’re not only reducing costs and improving aircraft availability for our American allies, but we’re also showcasing the exceptional skills of our British workforce.
Under the project, aircraft components are initially received at RAF Mildenhall and then forwarded to the North Wales facility, where they undergo expert evaluation, repair, and refurbishment. This process primarily supports C-130 Hercules and KC135 Stratotanker aircraft, allowing for local repairs instead of sending parts back to the US for servicing.
DE&S Deca acting chief executive Ian Doughty said: “The Atlantic project represents a significant shift in military logistics, proving that regional expertise can deliver world-class results while strengthening international defence relationships. By keeping repairs in Europe, the US Air Force maintains higher aircraft availability rates while reducing operational costs.”
As part of this project, DE&S Deca staff are working with US personnel in enhancing repair capabilities. A delegation from the US Air Force Sustainment Centre visited DE&S Deca earlier this year for a technical observation that confirmed DE&S Deca’s status as a regional repair capability. Looking ahead, DE&S Deca is collaborating with the AFSC to introduce the Global Enterprise Network for Universal Sustainment (GENUS) Forward Air Logistics Complex Operational Node (FALCON) in Europe. GENUS FALCON will incorporate insights from Atlantic Eagle to streamline its launch and aims to solidify DE&S Deca as a regional hub for component repair in Europe for both the US and its Nato allies and defence partners. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
22 Jul 25. South Korea greenlights innovative K3 tank programme. South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem has formally announced development of the K3 next-generation main battle tank (MBT), with work being done in collaboration with the government’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Defense Agency for Technology and Quality. Hyundai Rotem states the K3’s emphasis is on firepower – and indeed it boasts a new 130mm gun with artificial intelligence (AI)-based fire controls – “highly efficient and silent” mobility, state-of-the-art survivability and “real-time battle management network-based C4ISR”. The company cautioned that the concept images it released should not be considered as reflecting the final configuration. Obviously, the finished product will have to reflect detailed engineering and maturing of the design. However, the K3 development and characteristics can be reasonably suggested based on current MBT trends, projected technologies and future battlefield requirements. The 130mm armament will have a higher velocity, greater armour penetration and will likely include programmable multi-use ammunition. The calibre size itself drives the K3 into employing an autoloader and, thus, a two- or three-person crew. A remote weapon station with a heavy machine gun or 30mm-type autocannon is provided to suppress and engage antitank and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats. The K3 could also incorporate precision missiles or loitering munitions for longer range and/or non-line-of-sight engagements. Whether the 130mm gun has a version of the K2’s gun-launched Korean Smart Top-Attack Munition (KSTAM) is unclear. The K3 will have the latest daytime and thermal optics for the gunner and commander, with a panoramic capability for at least the latter. As a radar is incorporated in the upgraded K2, it can be assumed the K3 will too. Next-generation digital networked architecture incorporating AI will integrate functions such as weapons control, sensors, fire control, navigation, situational awareness, self-defence, battle management, reconnaissance and surveillance. Consideration appears to be given to equipping the K3 with a reconnaissance UAV, and the ability to smoothly share information across platforms. AI could facilitate automatic target identification, threat assessment, and it might even automate responses. A hybrid-electric powerpack is expected, although some sources suggest the K3 may introduce a dual-mode, hydrogen-diesel system, before the vehicle later transitions to fuel cells. However, the ADD’s previously conservative approach to the K2’s powerpack suggests it prefers a more phased programme. Considering the current K2’s active hydropneumatic suspension, a more advanced version will certainly be seen on the K3. The operational benefits are quicker acceleration, which reduces exposure time, quieter running, lower signatures and greater range. The K3 will likely continue the evolution of the layered armour technologies already used on the K2, with “compartmental protection” employed to enhance crew survival. This suggests the crew may be repositioned into the hull, although this has not been officially confirmed. Electronic countermeasures and active defence systems may include a UAV-jamming suite and directional infrared countermeasures to defeat heat-seeking missiles. In addition, the K3 will likely take advantage of counter-surveillance technologies such as stealth geometry and signature reduction materials that were introduced in K2PL tanks supplied to the Polish Army. Hyundai Rotem and the aforementioned government agencies will take a methodical approach to the K3’s development, as they did with the K2. They may also foster involvement and cooperation with international partners, such as Poland, to foster larger markets beyond the Republic of Korea Army. With 2040 being suggested for the K3’s initial fielding, the programme still has time to evolve against threats and to integrate new technologies. (Source: AMR)
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TEK Military Seating Limited
TEK Military Seating Limited is a UK based designer and manufacturer of ProTEK military vehicle seating which offer the highest standards of safety and protection. The ProTEK brand is well respected across the globe for its robust construction, innovative design, built in modularity and cost effectiveness. Our superior products are supported by our experienced team who endeavor to offer unrivalled service to our customers from enquiry, through design and acceptance, to through life support.
From its inception ProTEK seats have been designed around a family of innovative seat frames onto which tested and certified modules can be fitted to create a bespoke solution for the user. These include Blast protection to Stanag 4569 standards, vibration reduction, head and body protection, seat risers and turntables, fore & aft adjustment, and seat back rake along with viable seat dimensions without the need for additional tooling costs.
Contact: Paul Fleming
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