Ukrainian light armored vehicle manufacturer PJSC SPC "Praktika" has signed a memorandum of understanding on industrial cooperation with Spanish companies TECNOVE S.L. and Escribano Mechanical & Engineering (EM&E Group), reports the Ukrainian Armament Council.
This marks the first joint armored vehicle production project for Praktika and the League of Defense Enterprises of Ukraine public association with Spanish partners on European Union territory.
The document focuses on combining the parties' experience in producing specialized and military automotive equipment, as well as joint development and production of armored vehicles in Spain for the needs of the EU, Ukraine and other partner countries.
The cooperation between Praktika and the foreign companies will focus on several types of equipment: multi-purpose military armored vehicles, fire support vehicles, specialized equipment including medical, electronic warfare, and command-and-control vehicles, and non-militarized armored platforms for demining and transporting explosive items.
"For us, this is a logical step – to transfer the combat experience of Ukrainian armored vehicles into joint production chains with EU partners. Cooperation with Tecnove and Escribano will simultaneously strengthen the Defense Forces of Ukraine and provide allies with modern, combat-tested solutions," said Yulia Vysotska, director of PJSC SPC "Praktika."
The company emphasizes that joint projects with Western partners are viewed as a tool to accelerate production for the front lines, not as a replacement for Ukrainian capacities.
The planned joint production will be established at an industrial facility covering 25,000 square meters in the city of Herencia in the Madrid region. Tecnove recently commissioned this facility specifically for defense and security solutions.
The site will handle large-unit assembly of armored and other special vehicles using components manufactured at Praktika's Ukrainian facilities. Finished equipment will be supplied to Ukraine and for Spain's needs.
For the Ukrainian defense industry, this project means integration of Ukrainian combat solutions into European production chains, additional opportunities for scaling up serial production of armored vehicles without transferring critical competencies outside the country, and strengthening the positions of Ukrainian private manufacturers in joint EU and NATO programs.
Previously, it was reported that the joint Ukrainian-American enterprise AIRO Nord-Drone will produce drones for the needs of Ukraine and NATO. The new company will combine AIRO's experience in production and procurement with Nord Drone's combat-tested technologies and European production capacities.
