Rheinmetall to supply 81mm EIMOS mortar systems to Spain under $162 million deal
EIMOS has been designed for use with light vehicles. (Photo: Rheinmetall)
Rheinmetall will supply Spain with 84 81mm EXPAL EIMOS under a €150 million (US$162 million) framework agreement announced on 23 October.
The contract includes maintenance and training components with the systems set to be delivered by the end of 2027.
As part of the UTEX programme, which was launched by the Spanish Ministry of Defence in 2017, various tactical light vehicles have been tested on an experimental basis to evaluate the installation of mortars.
EIMOS enables the company’s 81mm 81MX1 medium mortar and 60mm light mortars to be mounted in a 4x4 light vehicle such as the URO VAMTAC.
The turntable-mounted mortar can rotate through 360° and the mount soft-recoil system allows integration with most lightweight vehicles without any additional stabilisation systems as supporting legs.
Six ready-use rounds are stored on the turntable with additional rounds carried on the flatbed providing full combat autonomy.
In June 2022, EXPAL confirmed that the Dual EIMOS 81mm self-propelled mortar was in service with the Spanish Naval Infantry.
The disclosure followed the announcement in 2021 that the Spanish Army and Marine Corps had tested two onboard mortar systems on light vehicles manufactured by EXPAL Systems.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
US Army to receive Oshkosh’s next-gen autonomy-ready trucks by December
The company recently announced a new US$95 million order for the Palletized Load System A2 under the FHTV V agreement.
-
How the US Marine Corps “increased” Marines’ shooting accuracy by 99%
The new small arms training approach includes the use of data and simulation capabilities, as well as more realistic environments.
-
Lockheed nets $4.9 billion US Army contract to build more precision strike missiles
The PrSM missiles, known as Increment 1 weapon systems, will eventually replace the US Army’s Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).
-
US Army to field first human-machine platoon in two years
The Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office plans to deploy armoured and infantry platoon configurations around FY2027.
-
Avalon 2025: Hanwha signs engine deal with Penske for Redback IFVs
Penske Australia will also carry out local assembly and testing of Allison X1100 series cross-drive transmission under licence using kits supplied by South Korea's SNT Dynamics.
-
Ovzon trials UGV comms in Arctic conditions
Swedish company showcases Arctic UGV test as it eyes NATO defence market expansion.