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General Dynamics European Land Systems

Industry	Defence
Predecessor	EWK [de] FWW Fahrzeugwerk GmbH Mowag AG Santa Bárbara Sistemas SA Steyr-Daimler-Puch (military vehicle unit)
Founded	2003; 22 years ago (2003)
Headquarters	Madrid , Spain
Number of locations	9 (as of 2022)
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Antonio Bueno (CEO)
Products	Military Military vehicles,bridging systems,artillery, missiles, small arms, turrets, ammunition, maintenance & services Civilian Driveline, Aeronautics, thermal and surface components
Number of employees	2,400 (2023)
Parent	General Dynamics
Website	www.gdels.comhttps://www.gdels.com/

General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDLS) is an automotive and arms manufacturer spread across Europe, with a headquarter inMadrid, Spain. It is a business unit ofGeneral Dynamics which consolidated in one structure all European subsidiaries of GDLS.

At the beginning of the years 2000,General Dynamics acquired major European defence companies, and consolidated the activities and expanded the collaborations.^[1]

• General Dynamics Corporation acquiredSanta Bárbara Sistemas in July 2001.^[1][2]
• General Dynamics Corporation acquired the defence activity ofEWK Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern [de] in October 2002 and became GDELS - Germany in 2003.^[1][3]
• General Dynamics European Land Systems was founded in 2003.^[1][4]
• General Dynamics Corporation acquired the land defence vehicles unit ofSteyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug GmbH [de] in October 2003, and incorporated it to GDELS. Prior the full acquisition, General Dynamics already owned 25% of the company.^[1][5]
• In 1999, the defence unit ofGeneral Motors Canada acquiredMowag Motorwagenfabrik AG. In March 2003,General Dynamics acquired General Motors Canad. By 2004, it was integrated to GDELS and became GDELS - Mowag GmbH.^[1][6]
• In November 2018, General Dynamics Corporation acquired FWW Fahrzeugwerk GmbH inWoldegk, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and it became GDELS - FWW GmbH in November 2019.^[7] FWW had been founded in 2001, to repair wheeled and tracked vehicles and components, "partnering with the Bundeswehr, NATO, Western European countries and the United Nations".^[8]

WithinGeneral Dynamics Corporation, as of January 2022, GDELS is one of the three "Combat Systems" business units, and all have there subsidiaries:^[9][10]

• General Dynamics European Land Systems, S.L (based in Spain)
• General Dynamics - Ordnance and Tactical Systems (based in USA)
• General Dynamics Land Systems which is based in the USA, and which has two major subsidiaries:
  • General Dynamics UK Ltd.
  • General Dynamics Land Systems Canada Corporation which has one subsidiary:
    • General Dynamics Land Systems Australia

The subsidiaries and official structure of General Dynamics European Land Systems, S.L are:^[9][10]

• General Dynamics European Land Systems - Austria GmbH
  • General Dynamics European Land Systems - Czech s.r.o.
• General Dynamics European Land Systems - Deutschland GmbH
  • General Dynamics European Land Systems – Bridge Systems GmbH
  • General Dynamics European Land Systems - FWW GmbH
• General Dynamics European Land Systems - Mowag GmbH
  • General Dynamics European Land Systems Botswana Proprietary Ltd.
  • General Dynamics European Land Systems Denmark ApS
  • General Dynamics European Land Systems Romania S.R.L.
• Santa Bárbara Sistemas S.A.

Note: The Botswanan, Czech, Danish and Romanian subsidiaries are liaison offices regarding contracts in execution with the military of these countries.^[10]

For General Dynamics Corporation,Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug GmbH [de] was an interesting prospect as they were collaborating with Santa Barbara Sistemas A GD subsidiary prior to its acquisition on the programASCOD (Austrian - Spanish Cooperative Development), a new trackedinfantry fighting vehicle.

Note, only the products developed or manufactured after the acquisition by General Dynamics are mentioned here.

• Infantry fighting vehicles (platforms with multi-role potential):
  • ASCOD Ulan, not in production anymore^[11]
  • ASCOD 2
• Armoured fighting vehicles (multi-role platforms):
  • Pandur I(6×6), not in production anymore^[12]
  • Pandur I EVO (6×6)^[13]
  • Pandur II(8×8)^[14]

• 
  ASCOD, Austrian Army,
  Schützenpanzer Ulan
• 
  ASCOD 2, prototype
• 
  Pandur (6×6), Austrian Army,
  MTPz
• 
  Pandur II(8×8), Czech Army,
  KOT-Ž

EWK Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern [de] was created as a steel construction company in 1864. In 2002, the defence activity was acquired by General Dynamics, it was temporarily associated to Santa Bárbara Sistemas. In 2003 GDELS was created, and EWK became GDELS– Bridge Systems GmbH, a subsidiary of GDELS - Deutschland GmbH. The core defence activity is focused on military bridging systems.

Note, only the products developed or manufactured after the acquisition by General Dynamics are mentioned here.

• Pontoon bridges:
  • IRB (Improved Ribbon Bridge),MLC85 capacity:
    It is based on the American SRB (Standard Ribbon Bridge). It is a product offered by GDELS – Bridge Systems GmbH although it was initially an American product^[15]
  • M3 Amphibious Rig,MLC85 capacity:
    It is a self-propelled,amphibiouspontoon bridge developed in the 1980s-90s by EWK for theGerman Army prior being part of GDELS, and is still in production.^[16]
  • Hydra:
    It is a modular pontoon boat^[17][18]
• Bridging vehicles:
  • ANACONDA, (MLC85 capacity, with 22 m gaps):
    It is the evolution of theBIBER [de] bridge launcher, the system is available on tanks.^[19][20] A new variant is offered in collaboration withRheinmetall with its truck, theHX2.^[21]
  • PYTHON, (MLC80+ capacity with 13 m gaps):
    It is known as theRapidly employed bridge system (REBS), it is typically launched from 10-15 tons 8×8 trucks, it is also available for vehicles like thePiranha IV,Piranha V, andBoxer.^[22][23]
  • COBRA, (MLC50 capacity with 15 m gaps):
    It is a variable folding bridge, flexible, prototypes of this bridge exist on theBoxer, theASCOD 2, thePiranha IV andV. Pearson Engineering supplies temporary or permanent support Bridge Launching Mechanism.^[24]
  • VIPER, (MLC40 capacity with 4, 6 and 8 meters gaps):
    It is a lightweight modular multi.purpose solution that can be adapted on light armoured vehicles like theMowag Eagle V (4×4).^[25]
  • QBB (2.5 m unprepared gaps span):
    It is a very lightweight Quad Bike Bridge.^[26]
• Footbridge:
  • MAMBA (span of 30 m):^[27][28]
    Ultra lightweight footbridge, to be used by to cross wide gaps, assembled by hand, and transportable by light trucks, helicopters, etc. It is already operational with theGerman Army.

• 
  IRB,US Marine Corps,
  Improved Ribbon Bridge
• 
  M3, German Army,
  Schwimmschnellbrücke Amphibie
• 
  PYTHON,US Army,
  Rapidly employed bridge system (REBS)
• 
  COBRA, prototype onASCOD 2
  Variable Folding Bridge
• 
  VIPER, prototype on Eagle VAustrian Army,
  MTPz
• 
  ANACONDA,US Army,
  M104 Wolverine
• 
  MAMBA

FWW Fahrzeugwerk GmbH is a company that was founded in 2001. It was developed as a service and maintenance provider for military customers. Its main client became the German Army. It also has activities as an arms dealer.^[29]

General Dynamics Corporation expanded its business in land systems at the beginning of the years 2000.General Motors Canada and its subsidiaries were a major player in the field of light and middle armoured vehicles. The main vehicles being manufactured by GM Canada included the highly successfulMowag Piranha family and its derivatives:

• the CanadianLAV family (which included at that time theLAV I,LAV II andLAV III)^[30]
• the AustralianASLAV^[31]
• the AmericanLAV-25 and theStryker (which entered service in theUS Army in 2002)^[32]

Mowag Motorwagenfabrik AG was therefore part of the acquisition in 2003, and as the corporate structure was adapted, Mowag was put under the leadership of GDELS S.L. but it still collaborated heavily with GDLS Canada, GDLS USA, and GD UK.^{[citation needed]}

Note, only the products developed or manufactured after the acquisition by General Dynamics are mentioned here.

• Multi-role /reconnaissance /infantry mobility vehicle:
  • Duro was developed and manufactured by Bucher-Guyer AG. The program was acquired byMowag Motorwagenfabrik AG in 2003, after it was purchased by General Dynamics Corporation.^[33]
    • Duro, not in production anymore^[34]
    • Duro II, not in production anymore^[35]
    • Duro III^[36]
    • Duro 3P / YAK^[37][38]
    • Duro-E, a new variant offered by GDELS - Mowag in development, an electric powered variant^[39]
    • LFAV, light fire attack vehicle, not in production anymore Vehicle based on 4×4 chassis for the Singapore Civil Defence Force.
  • Eagle
    • Eagle III, not in production anymore^[40]
    • Eagle IV, based on the Mowag Duro chassis, not in production anymore^[41]
    • Eagle V 4×4, based on the Mowag Duro chassis^[42]
    • Eagle V 6×6, based on the Mowag Duro chassis^[42]
  • LTV Merlin, Light Tactical Vehicle^[39] This is a new vehicle offered, fitting the requirements for airborne, special forces and light infantry, it fits in theCH-47 andCH-53.
• Multi-role combat vehicle (APC /AFV /IFV / reconnaissance):
  • Piranha
    • Piranha III (from 1996)^[43]
    • Piranha IIIH (from 1999)^[44]
    • Piranha IIIC 8×8^[45]
    • Piranha IIIC 10×10^[45]
    • Piranha IV 6×6^[46]
    • Piranha IV 8×8^[47]
    • Piranha IV 10×10
    • Piranha V 8×8^[48]
• Artillery
  • RCH-155 -Piranha IV 10×10

• 
  Duro I, Swiss Army
• 
  Duro IIIP, Swiss Army,
  Duro GMTF
• 
  Duro chassis, LFAV,
  "Red Rhino"
• 
  Eagle III, Swiss Army,
  SKdt Fz INTAFF gl 4x4
• 
  Eagle IV, German Army,
  GFF2
• 
  Eagle V 4x4, German Army,
  GFF2
• 
  Eagle V 6x6, Swiss Army,
  Aufklärungssystem TASYS
• 
  Piranha IIIC, Swiss Army,
  Piranha IIIC RAP Pz
• 
  Piranha IIIH, Irish Army,
  Cavalry Reconnaissance Vehicle
• 
  Piranha IV, Swiss Army,
  Pionier Panzerfahrzeug 21
• 
  Piranha V, Danish Army
• 
  Piranha IV 10×10, Swiss Army,RCH-155

General Dynamics acquired SBS in 2001. SBS is the primary supplier of land equipment for the Spanish Army, and it is also involved on other equipment for the Spanish and European military forces. It has also some parts of the business focused on civilian sectors (aeronautics, as well as thermal and surface treatments).

• Tracked armoured vehicles:
  • Leopard 2E: Spanish variant of theLeopard 2A6, manufactured under licence in Spain by SBS from 2002 to 2008.^[49]
  • ASCOD platform:
    • Pizarro, an Infantry / Cavalry fighting vehicle, not in production anymore^[11]
    • ASCOD 2, evolution of the Pizarro designed in collaboration with GDELS - Austria.
    • VCZCastor, anarmoured engineering vehicle^[50]
    • VAC,^[51] successor planned to the 600M113 in the Spanish Army, based on the VCZ Castor chassis., to be produced from 2024, and to be fitted with the same equipment and combat system as on the Dragon VCR. Vehicle in development and to be produced by Tess defence, a joint venture of SBS,Indra Sistemas, Sapa, and Escribano M&E.
    • Sabrah light tank: Based on the ASCOD 2, modifications designed in collaboration withGDLS, andElbit Systems.^[52]
    • Ajax, designed and manufactured for theBritish Army in collaboration withGeneral Dynamics UK
  • Track systems:
    • SATT: a Self Adjusting Track Tensioner patented, and tested on the ASCOD 2 in 2025^[53]
• Multi-role combat vehicle (APC /AFV /IFV / reconnaissance):
  • Dragón VCR [es] based on thePiranha V, existing in multiple variants:^[54]
    • VCR, aninfantry fighting vehicle
    • VEC, a reconnaissance vehicle
    • VCR-PC, a company command post
    • VCOAV (Vehículos de Combate de Observador Avanzado), anartillery forward observer vehicle
    • VCR-ZAP, anarmoured engineering vehicle
• MRAP /EOD vehicle:
  • RG-31 Mk5E, local assembly of the units bought by the Spanish Army^[55]
• Artillery:
  • Santa Bárbara Sistemas 155/52, development, production, and modernisation of thistowed howitzer^[56]
• Small arms:
  • G36E - Assault rifle^[10]
  • Heckler & Koch MG4 - Light machine gun^[57]
• Missiles:^[58]
  • Warhead and rocket motors and assembly of Spanish militaryMeteor,Mistral andSpike missiles (Spike LR, Spike LR II, Spike ER)
• Munitions:^[58]
  • Small calibre munitions
  • Medium calibre munitions
  • Tank rounds
  • Artillery rounds
  • Explosives and powder

• 
  Leopard 2E,Spanish Army
• 
  ASCOD,Spanish Army,
  Pizarro
• 
  ASCOD 2, Prototype
• 
  ASCOD 2,Spanish Army,
  VAC
• 
  ASCOD 2 tank,Philippine Army,
  Sabrah light tank
• 
  Scout SV,British Army,
  AJAX, anIFV
• 
  Scout SV,British Army,
  ARES, anAPC
• 
  Piranha V, Spanish Army,
  Dragón VCR
• 
  RG-31 Mk5E, Spanish Army,
  Ambulancia
• 
  Piranha V, Danish Army
• 
  Santa Bárbara Sistemas 155/52, Spanish Army,
  SBS 155/52 APU-SIAC
• 
  H&K G36E, Spanish Army
• 
  H&K MG4, Spanish Army
• 
  Meteor missile, Spanish Army
• 
  Mistral missile, Spanish Army
• 
  Spike missile, Spanish Army

• General Dynamics
• Military vehicle manufacturers
• Motor vehicle manufacturers of Spain
• Companies based in Madrid

• CS1 German-language sources (de)
• CS1 Austrian German-language sources (de-at)
• CS1 Spanish-language sources (es)
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