Indra is leading the development of a pioneering point-defence system for military vessels based on laser-guided missiles under the SILAEM Special Modernisation Programme (Shipborne Launcher System). The project has funding of 51 million euros and includes the development of two versions of the system: a stand-alone configuration and another integrated with the SCOMBA combat system. The system will act as the vessel’s last line of defence, enabling it to counter hostile craft, aerial and surface drones, anti-ship missiles and attacks originating from the coastline. One of its key distinguishing features will be its open architecture, which will ensure full interoperability with systems and sensors from other manufacturers.
The Spanish Directorate General for Armaments and Materiel (DGAM) has awarded the technology group Indra Sistemas the SILAEM research and development contract. For 51 million euros, a short-range, missile-based “fire-and-forget” launch system is to be developed that will provide close-range self-defense for ships of the Spanish Navy , such as the light aircraft carrier “Juan Carlos I.” The program will run through August 2028. The order comprises two system variants: Firstly, a self-sufficient, independently operable launch system, and secondly, a version that will be integrated into the Spanish command and weapon deployment system SCOMBA. Both are to be developed, manufactured, qualified, validated, integrated and tested under real conditions.
The SILAEM programme is part of the industrial plan for defence and security presented last April, which provides for six special modernization programmes (PEM) for the navy. One of these is the “carrier-based launch system”, which explicitly addresses the protection of ships against air and missile threats in high-risk scenarios. 70 million euros have been earmarked for this PEM in the current financial year, and Indra has also received advance funding of 42 million euros from the Ministry of Industry. The order marks an important breakthrough after the Spanish navy had tried in vain for years to procure a missile-based point defense system. Around a year ago, a tender for an ASMD system worth 7.5 million euros was canceled.
This will allow NATO and allied navies to easily integrate it into their vessels and subsequently expand it with new capabilities and sensors. The system comprises an X-band fire-control radar, a core element for target acquisition and tracking, the turret and the laser-guided missiles, all integrated under an advanced command-and-control system, the true brain of the solution. The development of this capability responds to the need for modern vessels to have multi-layered defence that enables them to respond to saturation attacks by progressively neutralising targets at different ranges and selecting the most suitable sensor and weapon at any given time. Te Spanish Navy now has a concrete, integrated ship self-protection system for the first time – and is thus closing a critical capability gap that has existed for years.
