To develop a new Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) to meet the requirements of the 1990s a joint venture company called ASCOD (Austrian Spanish Co-Operative Development) was formed.

The ASCOD company consists of the Austrian Company, Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug AG & Co AG and the Spanish company, General Dynamics Santa Bárbara Sistemas.

Both of these companies are now part of General Dynamics European Land Systems.

Following extensive trials with prototype vehicles, the Spanish government placed the first contract for the ASCOD early in 1996.

This contract was for the acquisition of 144 ASCOD ICV under the Spanish name of the Pizarro, with the actual contract being placed with SBB Blindados, a member of the now General Dynamics Santa Bárbara Sistemas.

The initial contract covered the delivery of 122 Pizarro fighting vehicles and 22 command vehicles at a total value of USD330 million. The first two preproduction Pizarro vehicles were completed early in 1998. The first production batch was issued to X Brigade, which is the first Spanish contingent assigned to the Eurocorps.

The second batch of Pizarro vehicles includes 106 IFV, 27 observer vehicles, 10 recovery vehicles and 47 armoured engineer vehicles. Deliveries commenced in the second quarter of 2008 and continue through to 2013.

The second batch will have many improvements including a new powerpack, enhanced night vision with second generation thermal camera, enhanced weapon stabilisation system, new communications system, new 16-bit electronics system, optimised hull to reduce vibration, GPS receiver and compliance with EMC regulation MIL STD 461.

Indra has been awarded a follow on contract worth EUR63 million to supply optronic equipment, including thermal systems, for the second production batch of the Pizarro family of vehicles.

Improvements over the existing system fitted to the first production batch of Pizarro vehicles will include upgrades to the thermal vision equipment, and crew/machine interfaces and a self-test facility for easier maintenance.

Under the third and final phase, a total of 122 IFV and 44 other versions may be ordered.

General Dynamics Santa Bárbara Sistemas is supported by the Trubia factory of its parent company General Dynamics Santa Bárbara, which will supply the hull, turret body, armament and other subassemblies. Description

Full details of the ASCOD ICV are given in a separate entry. The Spanish vehicles are virtually identical to the detailed description but are fitted with General Dynamics Santa Bárbara-developed explosive reactive armour. Variants

For trials purposes, a Spanish Ulan AIFV has been fitted with a new German REX (Renk Electric Crossdrive) hybrid drive system coupled to the existing Renk HSWL 106 mechanical transmission.

The REX concept combines the existing components of the Renk HSWL family of transmissions with electric motors and generators in a common transmission housing.

The combination of the prime mover with a high power auxiliary power system is claimed to be very fuel efficient and provides immediate power to the vehicle drive system when the requirement occurs in combat situations.

The customary torque converter is replaced by a power splitter unit with two electric motors connected to the transmission and diesel engine, providing both automotive power and electrical power generation.

This has been modified for the command post role and has a crew of three plus four command staff. Externally it is identical to the standard Pizarro but internally has additional communications equipment and modified for computer terminals, working tables and extending key board areas.

This has a raised superstructure to the rear of the drivers position and mounted at the front of the chassis is a hydraulically operated dozer blade.

Mounted on the left side of the chassis and pivoted at the rear is a hydraulic crane with an extendable jib that can be traversed through a full 360 degrees.

Equipment includes a winch with a maximum direct pull of 25.5 tonnes, welding and cutting equipment and a power generator. It is normally operated by a crew of four people and has a combat weight of 33 tonnes.