As part of its defense modernization initiative, the Spanish Navy will introduce 34 advanced Amphibious Combat Vehicles (VACIM) to replace outdated AAV-7s and bolster the projection and mobility capabilities of its Marine Corps. The acquisition is embedded in the national Industrial and Technological Defense Plan, aligning with Spain’s strategic objective of dedicating 2% of its GDP to defense investments.
For 2025, the program has received €50 million in funding, and an additional €150 million in pre-financing has been authorized under a new draft royal decree from the Ministry of Industry. The VACIM project is officially recognized in the decree as the “Efficient Comprehensive Amphibious Projection System,” which is introduced on page 2 and further detailed on page 14.
The fleet will consist of 34 8×8 armored amphibious vehicles across four configurations:
28 troop transport variants
2 command and control vehicles
2 armored recovery vehicles
2 battlefield ambulances
In addition to the platforms themselves, the acquisition includes training modules, simulation systems, maintenance infrastructure, and initial logistical support, ensuring a fully integrated capability for sea-to-land operations and enhanced battlefield survivability.
