Portugal and Spain have signed a memorandum of understanding for the acquisition of 75 URO VAMTAC light armored tactical vehicles for the Portuguese Marines.
The agreement was signed on August 27 at the São João Baptista da Foz Fort in Porto by Portuguese Deputy Director-General for Armament Rear Adm. António Mateus and Spain’s Secretary of State for Defense María Amparo Valcarce García. The procurement is being pursued under the European Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument.
The signing ceremony was attended by Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles Fernández, Portuguese Navy Vice Chief of Staff Vice Adm. Pedro Sousa Costa and other civilian and military officials.
Local news outlets revealed that the vehicles will be manufactured by Spanish company Urovesa, with the involvement of Portuguese industry. The ministry said the VAMTAC was selected after meeting the required technical and operational requirements.
The decision was influenced by the Portuguese Army’s existing fleet of more than 100 VAMTAC vehicles, which the ministry said will allow Portugal to optimize capabilities already in service.
The vehicles will be assigned to the Portuguese Marines, strengthening their protected tactical mobility capabilities.
The VAMTAC is a family of high-mobility tactical vehicles developed and manufactured by Spain’s Urovesa and offered in multiple configurations for roles including troop transport, command and control and logistics.