Spanish Army Centauro vehicles show off their firepower in Slovakia

The Spanish contingent deployed in Slovakia to reinforce NATO's eastern flank includes a Cavalry Squadron.

From Pontevedra to Lešť: a report on the Spanish soldiers of the BRILAT in Slovakia
The deployment of the Cervus anti-drone system of the RAAA 71 of the Spanish Army in Slovakia

This squadron is made up of five Centauro cavalry reconnaissance vehicles (VCR) from the 8th "Lusitania" Cavalry Regiment, integrated into the Parachute Brigade 'Almogávares' VI (BRIPAC). It is a historic mission for the Spanish Cavalry, since it is the first time that Spain deploys the Centauros on a mission abroad.

Currently, the Spanish Army has 84 VCR Centauros, distributed among different Cavalry Regiments. Of those 84, 62 were manufactured in Spain by Iveco-Pegaso, adding some improvements. In addition, the Spanish Army also has four Centauro VCREC, a recovery version of this Italian-made vehicle.

The VCR Centauro is a wheeled vehicle with 8x8 traction and is equipped with a 105/52 mm OTO Melara rifled main gun, and is currently the only Spanish armored vehicle that uses ammunition of that caliber. The vehicle carries a total of 40 shells for the main gun, 14 of them housed in the turret and the remaining 26 in the barge.

As secondary armament, the VCR Centauro carries a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun (located to the left of the main gun) and two 7.62 mm MG-3 machine guns on the turret. In addition, on each side of the turret there are four smoke grenade launchers, to lay smoke screens.

The VCR Centauro has a crew of four: commander, gunner, loader and driver. In addition, the rear of the vehicle has a troop compartment for four soldiers.

The Army deployed these five Centauros VCRs in Slovakia in June, along with VAMTAC Uro tactical vehicles, VERT exploration vehicles and Cervus anti-drone vehicles (both based on the VAMTAC), VAMTAC SK-95 light trucks and 105-pounder L-118 Light Gun howitzers (in their first deployment abroad by Spain).

A few days ago, the VCR Centauros deployed in Slovakia fired the first shots from these Spanish vehicles on a mission abroad, demonstrating their firepower. The Defence Staff published several images of this exercise on Saturday.

Last week, the NATO Multinational Battlegroup in Slovakia published a video in which we can see the Spanish VCR Centauros in action:

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Photos: Estado Mayor de la Defensa.