Frag Out! Magazine
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used for reconnaissance missions, including surveying of the landing sites, DA and CSAR operations. The element also supports other mili- tary operations. Given that the budget is limited, Infanteria Marina modernization is limited. From the point of view of maintaining the capabilities avail- able, the most important program is aimed at seeking a replacement of the amphibious assets used as the primary means of transportation, between sea and land, by the Marines. Infanteria Marina currently op- erates 19 AAV-7s that have been introduced between 1972 and 1974. To replace these assets, procurement of 19 AAV-7 from the US has been planned. They would be fitted with extra armor and a new engine, coming from the AAV7 RAM/RS. The vehicles are expected to be ac- quired in lots, between 2022 and 2026. The cost of the procurement is not known. Infanteria Marina is also modernizing the Pirahna IIIC APCs that have been acquired between 2003 and 2004. The first 18 platforms have been selected to be upgraded as for now. They are, in lots, sent to the GDELS (General Dynamics European Land Systems) fa- cility in Seville. Handing off of all of the modernized vehicles is to take place between 2020 and 2021. Modernization of 18 vehicles would cost 10 million euros. M60A3TTS MBTs used by Infanteria Marina are bound to be replaced. The end of their life cycles is already visible. The Spanish Marines want to acquire 16 support vehicles that would be manufactured based on a modular platform selected by the Spanish Army - the 8x8 VCR (Vehículo de Combate de Ruedas) Dragon APC. The new vehicles are expected to be fitted with a turret housing a 105 mm or 120 mm smooth-bore cannon. Apart from the three major hard- ware upgrade programs, several smaller projects have been planned by Infanteria de Marina as well. The above refers to 81 mm mortars expected to be installed on the VAMTACs or to the acquisition of new light landing craft, or new anti-tank grenade launchers. The FUPRO component is to receive new observation assets installed on all-terrain vehicles and UAVs - these would assist the service in the protection of the facilities. FGNE element is planning to acquire a new type of under- water craft that could operate with the S-80 Plus submarines. The unit is also procuring modern individual and squad-level firearms, as well as unmanned systems in the air and land domains. Naval Aviation - Fixed-wing Assets Another challenge that the Spanish Navy would be facing soon is the redefinition of the future role of naval aviation and modernization of the Flotilla de Aeronaves (FLOAN) component, which employs 900 sail- ors operating 50 manned aircraft and 3 UAVs. FLOAN includes four primary elements - Harrier VTOL jets, helicopters - three types of em- barked helicopters, UAV component, and domestically-based training aviation units. The future of the strike/fighter component involving the AV-8B+ Harri- ers seems to be the most uncertain and dubious matter. The Spanish Navy has been among the first services deciding to acquire the vener- able VTOL jet. Harriers have been operated by Spain for more than 3 0 years now, with the first examples introduced into service in 1976. Fifteen AV-8S Matador have been purchased. Back in 1987 Spain also procured twenty much more capable AV-8B Harrier II. The lega- cy Harriers were withdrawn. Harrier II jets have undergone extensive and frequent upgrades which provided them with new air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities. Currently, the 9th FLOAN Naval Aviation Squadron has12 single-seater AV-8B+, and a single twin-seat TAV-8B. The Harriers form the core of the air element of Juan Carlos I. Usually 6 to 8 jets are embarked. The modernization carried out in 2015-2018, with a lifecycle recovery, made it possible to extend the service term of the Harriers until 2025. The upgrades have been executed concerning 13 aircraft. It is estimated that it would also be possible to extend the Harriers' lifecycles beyond 2025, thanks to a memorandum signed be- tween Spain, the US, and Italy - with joint acquisition of spare parts in mind. Both nations in question are withdrawing their Harriers that are going to be replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II. This means that they would have a redundant supply of spares for those jets at their disposal. The aforesaid actions made it possible to extend the availability of strike aircraft potential in Armada Española. In the long run, only two scenarios are possible. The first one would see Spain following the US and other European states, procuring the F-35 in their STOVL variant. F-35B is the only combat aircraft manufactured now- adays that could replace Harriers now. At the same time their capabilities, as the 5th Generation Fighter Air- craft, are significantly greater, both when compared to the Harriers, as well as in comparison with the land-based 4th-generation fighters. However, budgetary constraints could be a problem here. The problem could be solved through a future joint acquisition of a replacement aircraft for the Navy's Harrier's and the Air Force's F/A-18C/D Hornets. This could allow for the acquisition of a higher number of F-35A and F-35B. This would translate into lower costs of maintenance and more efficient training of the personnel. If a solution as such is rejected www.fragoutmag.com