A new tender period has begun for the 8×8 Dragón Vehiculo de Combate sobre Ruedas (VCR) or Combat Vehicle on Wheels to be supplied under Spain’s New Plan of the Armed Forces, which Spain decided in 2007. The armoured vehicle supply program was postponed twice due to lack of funding.

Spanish Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, has signed a new commitment allowing the incorporation of a limited company made up of four other national defence industry leaders.

Indra Sistemas, Santa Barbara Sistemas (part of General Dynamics), Sapa Placencia and Escribano Mechanical & Engineering will work together to carry out the VCR 8×8 programme. The government aims to retain the design authority in Spain with at least 70% participation from the national industry in the VCR 8×8 programme. 

The Dragón VCR variant, adapted for the Spanish forces from Switzerland, is planned to enter the inventory at three parties. A total of 1,000 vehicles will be supplied in the program, 348 platforms in the first party 13 different configurations will be delivered.