Spain’s Dragón 8×8 modernization effort has reached its 100th vehicle, with TESS Defence handing over another platform to the Spanish Army. The program, which began taking shape in 2019, uses GDELS’ Piranha V as its foundation and adds an open digital architecture, integrated sensors and improved armor protection.The Dragón is intended to replace the Army’s older Pegaso BMR and VEC fleets within the Force 35 modernization program. The latest vehicle was delivered at the Santa Bárbara facility in Alcalá de Guadaíra, with Indra supporting the handover. The €1.74-billion ($1.9-billion) contract calls for 348 vehicles to be delivered by the end of 2028.Output has increased sharply in 2026, with 43 vehicles delivered during the first six months alone, matching twice the previous year’s production. TESS and Indra are undertaking the work with GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas, SAPA and EM&E.Meanwhile, the Army is evaluating the vehicle in operational settings. The Legion Brigade at Viator is conducting trials aimed at achieving initial operational capability by late 2026, while the 1st Engineer Regiment is running a separate trial in Burgos. Spain also plans to publicly display three Dragón variants during the National Day parade in Madrid in mid-October.
