Spain to Acquire Over 200 Advanced Self-Propelled Howitzers in €3.5 Billion Modernization Push

In a major move to upgrade its artillery capabilities, Spain has announced plans to procure more than 200 self-propelled howitzers to replace its aging fleet of M109 systems. The acquisition, spread across two major subprograms, is expected to cost over €3 billion ($3.51 billion) and will dramatically boost the Spanish Army and Marine Infantry’s firepower and mobility.

Two-Pronged Procurement Strategy

Spain’s modernization plan includes both tracked and wheeled self-propelled howitzers, along with an extensive support vehicle network. The purchase is split into two subprograms:

• Subprogram 1: Procurement of 128 tracked howitzers at a cost of €1.82 billion ($2.12 billion). These will be distributed between the Spanish Army and the Spanish Marine Infantry. The package also includes:

  • 128 tracked ammunition vehicles

  • 21 recovery vehicles

  • 48 command vehicles for the Army

  • 11 command vehicles for the Marine Infantry

  • 7 optional maintenance vehicles

• Subprogram 2: Acquisition of 86 wheeled self-propelled howitzers for the Army at an estimated €1.18 billion ($1.38 billion). This subprogram also comprises:

  • 86 wheeled ammunition vehicles

  • 14 recovery vehicles

  • 7 optional maintenance vehicles

The wheeled howitzers are expected to be configured in 8×8 or 10×10 platforms, which will enhance their mobility in different terrains.

Advanced Technical Specifications

According to Spain's Ministry of Industry and Tourism, the new systems must feature:

• High mobility and the ability to deploy rapidly

• Automated operations with minimal crew requirements

• A gun barrel between 47 and 52 calibers

• A firing range of over 40 kilometers (25 miles) using base-bleed ammunition

• Advanced fire control systems and digital communication capabilities

These improvements are designed to offer the Spanish military faster response times, greater precision, and better survivability in modern combat scenarios.

Current Fleet and Need for Replacement

The current Spanish artillery fleet is based on legacy platforms:

• Spanish Army:

  • 96 M-109A5E self-propelled howitzers

  • 158 M-548 tracked ammunition vehicles

  • 18 wheeled M-548s

• Spanish Marine Infantry:

  • 6 M-109A5E howitzers

  • 6 M-992 FAASV ammunition vehicles

The M-109A5E, a variant of the American M109 Paladin series, was inducted into Spanish service in the late 1990s and early 2000s. While it has served reliably, its age and limitations in automation and range have made it increasingly obsolete against modern threats.

Strategic Impact

This large-scale procurement not only revitalizes Spain’s artillery capabilities but also aligns with NATO standards and strengthens the country's role in multinational defense operations. With the inclusion of both tracked and wheeled platforms, Spain ensures its forces are equipped to respond effectively in a wide range of scenarios— from conventional warfare to rapid deployments in diverse terrains.

This move marks one of the most comprehensive artillery modernization efforts in Spain’s recent defense history and underlines its commitment to bolstering national and regional security.