The MRAP discussion

Today the Spanish Army TO&E  maintains more than 600 BMR and its variants (according to The Military Balance 2007). The BMR is a vintage, early 70s design, 6x6 wheeled APC with a conventional role in mind and in service in mechanized infantry units.

As many other European armies, the main Spanish Army equipment can be classified as “heritage” from cold war era, and inappropriate to fight in the Small Wars, asymmetric conflicts that since 2001/9/11 became the focus for the West military and decision makers. This is the point for some defence analysts and army officers that claim that a MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle is needed in order to avoid losses at Afghanistan but also at Lebanon, where an IED destroyed a BMR killing six FINUL Spanish soldiers in “former” Hezbollah controlled area. What they argue is clear: as the employment of  Spanish military forces now and in the near future is and will be in areas with asymmetric, irregular wars, new and specially adapted vehicles (like the USMC’s Cougar) are needed to replace the vintage BMR in overseas deployments. These views, exposed the last months through analyst and military blogs and forums, are expected to increase. And campaigning has started with the slogan “MRAP now!”.

On the other side, Spanish defence minister, Mr. J.A. Alonso, stated in a press conference after the last attack in Afghanistan that “the BMR is one of the best vehicle in service amongst the nations deployed there, according to the Spanish military who are the people that really knows about”. It’s true that BMR is the best available vehicle from the logistic point of view, but not the best protected vehicle in the army’s inventory. At the moment, plans for BMR improvement or MRAP capable vehicles acquisition are not known.

Returning to Tanks

But other armies are now changing the focus, as plans for employing tanks emerge. Canada discarded purchasing Stryker to replace the Leopard C2/1A5 in april. Leopards (and M113) are operating in Afghanistan and entered combat with the Taleban. Canada's DND:

"The heavily protected direct fire capability of a main battle tank is an invaluable tool in the arsenal of any military. The intensity of recent conflicts in Central Asia and the Middle East has shown western militaries that tanks provide protection that cannot be matched by more lightly armoured wheeled vehicles.... [Canada's existing Leopard C2/1A5] tanks have also provided the Canadian Forces (CF) with the capability to travel to locations that would otherwise be inaccessible to wheeled light armoured vehicles, including Taliban defensive positions."

Danish Leopards to Afghanistan

Danish Army plans to send some Leopard 2A5 to Afghanistan, after passing a hot climate testing… in Spain. Five Leopards from Jydske Dragonregiment could be deployed in Afghanistan using NATO’s SALIS (Strategic Airlift Interim Solution), with the An-124 tank transport already tested, after the government’s green light. Plans known by the Spanish officials.

A response needed?

Spanish ministry may consider some alternatives, but it’s improbable any consideration about sending tanks. First, it will be a logistical nightmare. Second, and more important, Spanish politicians think public opinion won’t approve it, and there are elections in five months. But public opinion in Spain dislikes human losses also.