With this majority stake, Indra aims to transform TESS into the leading entity for the Spanish Ministry of Defence’s armoured vehicle projects, including the 8×8 Wheeled Combat Vehicle (WCV) and Tracked Support Vehicle (TSV) programmes. Indra states, “This acquisition positions TESS as the prime contractor for the Army’s current and future armoured vehicle programmes.” The newly restructured company will manage all aspects of programme delivery, from engineering to final assembly.
The move aligns with Indra’s “Leading the Future” strategic plan, which aims to position the company as the coordinator of Spain’s defence ecosystem. Through this acquisition, Indra will be better positioned to secure a share of a potential portfolio worth over €10 billion in Spain alone over the next 15 years. Expanding further, TESS’s export and maintenance programmes could generate an additional €30 billion globally over the next two decades, including over 700 new vehicles and extensive upgrade programmes.
TESS Defence will also implement a new governance model, featuring a seven-member board with four representatives from Indra and one each from its founding partners. This structure, Indra says, will “allow it to act as the national coordinator in major European terrestrial programmes” and foster closer collaboration on international projects. Indra’s increased role is expected to integrate Spanish technology more deeply into European defence initiatives, promoting Spanish industrial sovereignty.
As part of its enhanced responsibilities, TESS will oversee industrial and programme management, customer relations, and quality assurance throughout product lifecycles. To support these efforts, TESS is establishing a new engineering and manufacturing hub in Asturias, aimed at attracting talent and creating high-quality jobs. This facility, dedicated to advancing TESS’s technical capabilities, will contribute to Spain’s defence autonomy and reinforce its position in the European defence market.
Indra’s acquisition also responds to Spain’s Defence Industrial Strategy, which promotes the consolidation of national defence programmes to enhance competitiveness and reduce fragmentation. “This new configuration of TESS will mitigate the barriers posed by business fragmentation to growth and competitiveness,” the company explains, emphasising the potential for increased leadership in international projects.