ZAFRA (BADAJOZ), — ARMMO Defense Technologies and GDELS Santa Bárbara Sistemas have signed a cooperation agreement to integrate autonomous technologies into armoured vehicles and ground systems, strengthening Spain’s defence industry and its capabilities in mobile air defence and counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS).
The agreement combines GDELS Santa Bárbara Sistemas’ expertise in military vehicle engineering, manufacturing and integration with ARMMO’s work on autonomous aerial interceptors and counter-drone technologies.
BANDIT-X Demonstrated During ATLAS 26
The first major demonstration took place during exercise ATLAS 26 in Huelva, directed by the Spanish Army’s Anti-Aircraft Artillery Command. The companies successfully integrated, launched and flew ARMMO’s BANDIT-X autonomous interceptor from GDELS’ ASCOD HMC tracked armoured platform.
The demonstration showed the potential to deploy mobile counter-drone capabilities directly from armoured vehicles. The exercise also examined the integration of 5G technology into military command-and-control systems to improve coordination against unmanned aerial threats.
Representatives of the Spanish Army, Navy and Air and Space Force attended the demonstration, alongside senior NATO officials, including Admiral General Manuel Teodoro López Calderón, Spain’s Chief of the Defence Staff (JEMAD), and Admiral Pierre Vandier, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT).
BANDIT-X Interceptor Capabilities
Developed by ARMMO Defense Technologies, the BANDIT-X is a high-speed autonomous interceptor designed to neutralise hostile drones. It currently exceeds 360 km/h, with development targeting 420 km/h. Its operational range is approximately 40–50 kilometres, depending on mission profile and conditions, and its endurance is 20–25 minutes.
The system currently supports a payload of approximately 0.8 kg, with development work aiming for 1 kg. Its capabilities include autonomous navigation in jammed or denied Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) environments, resistance to electronic interference, autonomous terminal guidance and support for collaborative swarm operations.
In 2026, BANDIT-X was validated during NATO experimental activities in Slovakia under the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative. It has also received a NATO Stock Number (NSN) to support identification, cataloguing and logistical management among allied countries.
ARMMO operates an industrial facility covering more than 30,000 square metres in Zafra, Badajoz province. Its activities also include unmanned ground and surface vehicles and electronic warfare systems.
ASCOD HMC and Modular Mission Systems
The ASCOD HMC (Heavy Mission Carrier) is a modular tracked armoured platform developed by GDELS Santa Bárbara Sistemas. It can accommodate different mission systems, including ground-based air defence, artillery, fire support, heavy recovery, logistics, electronic warfare, medical evacuation and counter-UAS equipment.
During ATLAS 26, the vehicle carried launch containers capable of holding up to 20 BANDIT-X interceptors.
The platform uses the NEVA open digital architecture, developed in line with the NATO Generic Vehicle Architecture (NGVA) standard. This architecture supports interoperability and the integration of new technologies without requiring a complete vehicle redesign for each new capability.
The ASCOD HMC has a reported maximum speed of approximately 60 km/h and can accommodate mission modules with a capacity of around 17 tonnes. Its modular design allows configurations to be adapted to different military requirements.
Further Development of Mobile Air Defence
The cooperation agreement provides a framework for further development and integration of autonomous technologies across armoured vehicles and other ground platforms.
By combining GDELS Santa Bárbara Sistemas’ industrial capabilities and international presence with ARMMO’s specialised technology, the companies aim to advance mobile air defence and counter-drone solutions for the Spanish Armed Forces and potential allied defence programmes.
The ATLAS 26 demonstration establishes an initial example of integrating an autonomous interceptor with a tracked armoured vehicle. The companies have not specified a timetable for further development or operational deployment.
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