Spain’s Infantería de Marina (Marine Infantry) will replace their Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT7) amphibious vehicles with the Marine Infantry Amphibious Combat Vehicle (Vehículo Anfibio Combate IM – VACIM) shortly. It is based on the IVECO-developed SUPERAV. In doing so, they will follow the similar adoption of this wheeled 8 x 8 armoured amphibious vehicle by the US Marines (as the Amphibious Combat Vehicle – ACV) and Italian Marines as the Veicolo Blindato Anfibio (VBA).
The deliveries will be managed by Indra Land Vehicles, which, at the request of the Spanish Ministry of Defence, has reached an agreement with IVECO Defence – IDV to supply the new vehicle. The project is being carried out within the framework of a Special Modernisation Programme (PEM). In a statement, Indra said, “The collaboration with IDV will allow for the integration of state-of-the-art platforms with high levels of mobility, protection, and reliability for missions at sea and on land.”
Under the contract, IDV will supply thirty-four SUPERAV platforms. Indra Land Vehicles will integrate the mission systems requested by the Spanish MoD with work carried out in Spain. The Marines will receive Troop Transport, Command and Control, Recovery, and Ambulance variants of the VACIM.
The SUPERAV-derived VACIM, ACV manufactured by BAE Systems, and IDV VBA each have a combat weight of 32,00 kg, a land speed of 105 km/h (65 mph), a water speed of 1 kmph (6 nmph) and can both launch from amphibious ships and negotiate the surf zone. They are operated by a crew of three and can carry thirteen embarked Marines in the troop carrier version. They offer ballistic protection against direct fire, shrapnel, and mine/IED blasts. Additionally, they are equipped with unmanned weapon stations capable of firing 30mm rounds.
According to an Indra spokesperson: “The delivery of the thirty-four vehicles will be carried out gradually between 2027 and 2030, in line with the programme plan. This phased delivery enables training, validation, and a gradual entry into service by the Spanish Marines.”
Furthermore, Indra will equip the delivered platforms with mission systems, C2 solutions, communications, digital architecture, and support systems tailored to the specific requirements of the Spanish Marines. Additionally, the armament configuration, as appropriate, will be determined by the Spanish Ministry of Defence.
by Stephen W. Miller
