Spanish Defence Minister, Margarita Robles, closely follows the development in the VCR 8x8 Program on a visit to the Factory of Trubia
Posted on 2020-09-14
The Spanish Defence Minister, Margarita Robles, accompanied by the Secretary of State, Esperanza Casteleiro and the Chief of Army Staff (JEME), Francisco Javier Varela, along with a wide range of deputies and senators from all political groups, visited today the factory of Trubia (Asturias) to monitor the evolving work that this plant has performed during the production program for the VCR 8x8 ´Dragon´ wheeled combat vehicle. A program designed to modernize the capabilities of the Spanish Army.
These facilities, which house GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas, have been prepared and adapted during the last months to hold the manufacturing process of the platforms and other systems of the new armored vehicles.
Margarita Robles pointed out that this visit "was essential and fundamental to highlight the Ministry of Defence´s commitment to Asturias and the promotion of the Spanish Army with this vehicle".
"It is a clear commitment to a modern, prepared and competitive Armed Forces that will fulfil its mission securing peace, freedom and security in the world, with such important and needed instruments as those that will be built here", added the Minister.
Robles acknowledged that the implementation of the program "has been a long process", but thanks to dialogue and understanding "we can say that we are taking a very important step forward for the Spanish Army, for Spanish industry and for the industry of Asturias".
The Minister also wanted to extend a word of thanks to the company and its employees for their involvement in the project and reiterated that it is the result "of the joint effort of the companies, the governments, all the deputies who accompanied us on the visit, and the men and women of the Spanish Army".
Likewise, our Managing Director of GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas, Juan Escriña, appreciated the visit of the Defence Minister, Margarita Robles, to the factory of Trubia. He also took this opportunity to show a factory that "combines tradition and modernity, something that we are very proud of due to our highly-qualified employees and our concern for continuous improvement", highlighted.
"This factory is a crucial piece of the industrial history of Asturias and of all the high protection armored vehicle programs of GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas. Also, it is positioned as a technological reference in high performance protection and mobility systems", added Escriña.
Once at the plant, they have been received by the President of the Principality of Asturias, Adrián Barbón, the Managing Director of GDELS-Santa Bárbara Sistemas, Juan Escriña, the Delegate of the Government in Asturias, Delia Losa, and the Mayor of Oviedo, Alfredo Canteli, among other authorities.
After a presentation of the factory’s capacity and technology by Beatriz Gómez, Senior Director Operations GDELS-SBS, they have been informed about the COVID-19 security protocols and protective measures implemented in the workplaces of the factory.
The visit continued around the facilities where the Minister was able to follow the work performed in the machining, cutting, painting and assembly workshops, as well as in the robotic welding.
In addition, she has witnessed the operation of the assembly lines dedicated to the VCR 8x8 Program, the internal and external assembly of the main elements of the structure of these vehicles (barges, hatches, doors, grilles, panels) and the procedure for installation of protective coatings.
The visit to the factory of Trubia also included a wide range of deputies and senators from all political groups, interested in learning about the program for the new armored vehicle for the Spanish Army.
