Spain to Order Additional MRAPs

The Council of Ministers has approved two contracts for the acquisition of 76 “Lince” armored all-terrain vehicles (squad version, 5 passengers) and 20 armored all-terrain type RG-31 (platoon version, nine passengers), for an estimated cost of 24,628,606.36 euros and 15,331,807.59 euros, respectively. The acquisition of these armored vehicles is intended to ensure adequate conditions of safety and security during troop movements in the area of operations during international peacekeeping missions. Protection of Spanish armed forces personnel makes it necessary to continue with current efforts to provide deployed units with suitable equipment, able to protect them against threats in the area of operations which, according all accounts, including from the troops themselves, consist mainly of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), conventional small arms and anti-tank grenade launchers (RPGs). Therefore it is necessary to purchase vehicles that are fitted with armor protection able to strengthen their security against attacks using assault rifles and explosive charges.