The Chief of the Army visits "Homsec" and receives the key symbolising the delivery of Pizarro Phase II

The Chief of the Army receives the key of the Pizarros Phase II (Photo: Ángel Tejedor/DECET)

The Chief of the Army gives a talk in the International Hall (Photo:Ángel Tejedor/DECET)

He visits the Army stand (Photo:Ángel Tejedor/DECET)

The Chief of the Army visited the 6th "Homsec" International Exhibition of Security Technologies on the 15th March, where he received the symbolic key to the new armoured Pizarro Phase II vehicles from the hands of Antonio Bueno, CEO of Santa Bárbara General Systems Dynamics, at the stand that the company had set up at the IFEMA venue (Annual International Exhibition in Madrid) from 14th to 16th March.

"This vehicle allows us to be more protected and more able to understand the mission environment, in order to fulfil it in the best way possible," said Army General Jaime Domínguez Buj, who stressed the importance of this vehicle for the Army.

The “Extremadura” XI Brigade received the first seven Pizarro Phase II units in December 2015. This was the first delivery of the vehicles being made by the company to complete the batch of 117 vehicles purchased by the Army. These will be added to the 144 Pizarro phase I vehicles, with which the Spanish Army will finally have 261 units of these armoured vehicles. Phase I included 123 combat vehicles and 21 command posts, while Phase II of the programme is madde up of 81 Infantry and Cavalry vehicles and 36 sappers. The units of this second phase include clear improvements compared to the first vehicle, as they are greater in length, height and lateral protection. Other internal improvements include better driving spaces, combat spaces and spaces for combat on-foot. All of them increase the ergonomics, safety and efficiency of this armored vehicle.

The Chief of the Army also visited the stand ran by the Army at the International Exhibition. There he took the opportunity to speak to the soldiers in his command.