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Spain Will Build Twice as Many “Zubr” Armored Vehicles for Ukraine’s War Effort
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Spanish defense company Urovesa plans to double production of its VAMTAC armored vehicles, including the MRAP variants currently supplied to the Armed Forces of Ukraine under the name “Zubr.”
According to Defense Express on August 4, Urovesa will invest €50 million to expand its global manufacturing capacity, aiming to increase output from 2,500 to 5,000 vehicles annually.
The expansion includes the construction of new facilities covering over 100,000 square meters, with completion expected by 2029. The project is also projected to generate approximately 100 direct and 400 indirect jobs.
VAMTAC vehicles have been supplied to Ukraine by Spain as part of direct military assistance. In Ukrainian service, they are designated as “Zubr,” a name that initially led to confusion, as it was unclear whether the vehicles were of Polish or domestic origin.
To support the production increase, Urovesa plans to build an automated warehouse, assembly and reassembly areas, a painting facility, a dedicated testing range, an off-road driving school, and a visitor center.
The expansion comes after a profitable fiscal year for the company. In 2024, Urovesa reported revenue of over €122 million—an increase of 12% compared to 2023. Operating income totaled €22 million, with net profit reaching €17 million.
The VAMTAC platform offers ballistic and mine protection rated at STANAG 4569 Levels 1–2. It is powered by a 188-horsepower Steyr diesel engine, providing a top speed of 135 km/h and a range of over 600 kilometers. The vehicle has a total weight of approximately 5.2 tonnes and a payload capacity of 1.5 tonnes.
The estimated unit cost of the VAMTAC is €416,000, based on a contract signed with Romania in June 2025. In addition to Spain, Romania, and Ukraine, the vehicle is also in service with armed forces in Belgium, Morocco, Malaysia, Portugal, Ireland, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and the Dominican Republic.
Earlier, France announced plans to deliver 11 Bastion armored personnel carriers to Ukraine in April 2023, but the transfer was delayed for over a year due to the lack of a bilateral agreement. Production resumed in May 2024, and the first batch was finally delivered in August 2025 following Ukrainian testing and approval.
