The Spanish Army presents its plans for Field Artillery

The importance of having accurate, modern and powerful field artillery fire support systems has become evident in recent conflicts, where battlefield superiority depends, to a large extent, on the rapid and effective response capability of artillery systems. Aware of this need, the armies of Western countries are preparing to strengthen and modernize their capabilities in anticipation of possible high-intensity conventional engagements.

In this context, the prestigious international conference "Future Artillery" will be held in London from May 20 to 22. This event will bring together the heads of the armed forces of different countries, as well as senior representatives of the defense industry. Maria Eagle, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry of the British Government, will be among the leading personalities taking part and will present her vision of the UK's future Field Artillery requirements and modernization plans.

On the Spanish side, Brigadier General Antonio Mongio Bergua, Chief of the Field Artillery Command (MACA), has been confirmed to attend and will play a leading role in the May 21 event. General Mongio is expected to present a detailed analysis of the current situation of the Spanish Field Artillery, the needs identified for its modernization and the strategic objectives for the short and medium term.

During the conference, crucial topics such as artillery interoperability, national Field Artillery solutions, industrial strategies to reinforce own capabilities and collaboration between allied countries will be addressed. Leading defense industry companies such as KNDS, General Dynamics European Land Systems, Lockheed Martin and Saab, among others, will be present to showcase their latest technological solutions.

Spain, in line with these initiatives, has already begun to implement significant changes in its artillery capacity. One of the main advances is the incorporation of more accurate 155 mm projectiles and the signing of contracts for the acquisition of the SILAM rocket launcher system. However, certain uncertainties have been raised regarding the delivery of this system due to its Israeli technological origin, which could delay its full implementation.

The Army is considering moving towards a second SILAM system contract, which would allow the incorporation of more launchers and rockets, thus reinforcing its response capacity in high-intensity conflicts. In addition, the acquisition of at least one hundred self-propelled howitzers to replace the veteran M109A5, recently upgraded in their tubes and positioning systems, as well as the purchase of one hundred howitzers on a wheeled platform, are also being considered. This new equipment would be distributed among the Field Artillery Groups (GACAS), forming units of three or four batteries, with a total of between 18 and 24 pieces per group.

It should be noted that the Army will also have to renew about a hundred 155/52 towed howitzers before the end of the next decade. Likewise, the replacement of the approximately fifty 105/30 Light Gun howitzers and the 105/14 M-56 howitzers which, although in smaller numbers, are still in active service, is also foreseen.

In order to achieve greater efficiency and homogenization in logistics and maintenance, it is necessary to acquire materials with similar characteristics for both the wheeled and tracked platforms, estimating the purchase of between 200 and 300 units of these new artillery pieces.

With these modernization plans, the Spanish Army seeks to ensure that its Field Artillery forces are fully prepared to face the challenges of the future, reinforcing their deterrence capacity and their operability in high-intensity scenarios, both within and outside its borders.

Source: https://www.defensa.com/espana/ejercito-tierra-explica-futuros-planes-artilleria-campana