{"id":58016,"date":"2024-12-09T21:34:12","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T20:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/?p=58016"},"modified":"2025-12-09T00:42:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T23:42:11","slug":"spanish-army-centauro-vehicles-show-off-their-firepower-in-slovakia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/2024\/12\/09\/spanish-army-centauro-vehicles-show-off-their-firepower-in-slovakia\/","title":{"rendered":"Spanish Army Centauro vehicles show off their firepower in Slovakia"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Spanish contingent deployed in Slovakia to reinforce NATO's eastern flank includes a Cavalry Squadron.<\/p>\n

From Pontevedra to Le\u0161\u0165: a report on the Spanish soldiers of the BRILAT in Slovakia<\/a><\/rel>
\nThe deployment of the Cervus anti-drone system of the RAAA 71 of the Spanish Army in Slovakia<\/a><\/rel><\/p>\n

This squadron is made up of five Centauro cavalry reconnaissance vehicles (VCR) from the 8th \"Lusitania\" Cavalry Regiment<\/strong>, integrated into the Parachute Brigade 'Almog\u00e1vares' 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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Currently, the Spanish Army has 84 VCR Centauros<\/strong>, 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<\/strong> of this Italian-made vehicle.<\/p>\n

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The VCR Centauro is a wheeled vehicle with 8x8 traction and is equipped with a 105\/52 mm OTO Melara rifled main gun<\/strong>, 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<\/strong>, 14 of them housed in the turret and the remaining 26 in the barge.<\/p>\n

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

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The VCR Centauro has a crew of four:<\/strong> commander, gunner, loader and driver. In addition, the rear of the vehicle has a troop compartment for four soldiers.<\/p>\n

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The Army deployed these five Centauros VCRs in Slovakia in June<\/a>, along with VAMTAC Uro tactical vehicles, VERT exploration vehicles and Cervus anti-drone vehicles<\/a> (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).<\/p>\n

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

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In these images we can see the Spanish VCR Centauro opening fire with their 105 mm cannons<\/strong> on a training ground in Slovakia. Currently, the Spanish Centauros are the second armoured vehicles that provide the most firepower to the NATO Battle Group in Slovakia<\/strong>, behind the Leopard 2A6 tanks deployed by the Portuguese Army, which have 120 mm calibre main guns.<\/p>\n

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Last week, the NATO Multinational Battlegroup in Slovakia<\/a> published a video in which we can see the Spanish VCR Centauros in action:<\/strong><\/p>\n