Spain, Unknown – January 23, 2026 — BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Indra has introduced Spain’s inaugural sovereign Tough SDR handheld radios, marking a pivotal advancement in national defence communications during a ceremony in Barcelona on Friday. The rollout coincides with the finalisation of a €70 million technology transfer agreement with Finland’s Bittium Corporation, set for completion by the end of January 2026.
The event, held at Indra’s innovation hub in the Catalan capital, showcased the new radios designed for handheld, vehicular, and manpack configurations. These devices leverage Bittium’s proven Tough SDR platform, now fully adapted for Spanish production to ensure complete operational independence and security. Officials highlighted how the radios deliver resilient, high-performance connectivity across challenging environments, enhancing tactical coordination for armed forces.
The partnership builds on a licensing deal signed on 29 December 2025, followed by an initial €50 million purchase order for core technology handover. A subsequent €20 million order, issued on 16 January 2026, covers production transfer and custom development, bringing the immediate commitment to €70 million. Projections indicate the overall collaboration could surpass €120 million, fostering long-term growth in Spain’s defence sector.
“This milestone empowers Spain with homegrown capabilities that meet the highest standards of reliability and interoperability,” stated Ángel Escribano, Executive Chairman of Indra Group, during the Barcelona presentation. He emphasised the radios’ role in bolstering national resilience while opening doors for allied nations. Bittium CEO Petri Toljamo echoed the optimism, noting, “Our technology, now in Indra’s capable hands, will significantly elevate defence readiness and expand secure communications worldwide.”
Engineers demonstrated the radios’ key strengths: software-defined architecture allows seamless waveform updates, supporting NATO-approved standards from the a4ESSOR joint venture, where both firms are founding members. This ensures flawless integration with existing systems, promoting efficient data exchange in joint operations. The handheld models, weighing under two kilograms, offer encrypted voice, video, and broadband data over extended ranges, even in contested electronic warfare scenarios.
Production will ramp up at Indra’s facilities in Madrid and Barcelona, creating skilled jobs and stimulating local supply chains. By localising manufacturing, Spain gains sovereignty over critical assets, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and accelerating innovation cycles. Experts predict deployment to Spanish forces by mid-2027, with initial field trials scheduled for spring 2026.
The initiative aligns with broader European efforts to modernise tactical networks. Bittium’s expertise, honed over four decades and deployed in nations like Finland, Estonia, Austria, and Croatia, complements Indra’s 15 years in SDR waveforms. Together, they address demands for modular, IP-based backbones that link ground, air, and sea domains without interruption.
Community leaders in Barcelona welcomed the development, praising its contribution to technological leadership. “This positions Catalonia as a hub for defence innovation, driving economic progress and youth employment in high-tech fields,” said Maria Puig, a local industry representative. Training programmes for operators and technicians will launch next month, ensuring smooth adoption.
Future expansions could include vehicular variants for armoured units and manpack systems for special operations, all customised to Spanish requirements. The radios’ rugged design withstands extreme temperatures and shocks, promising durability in diverse missions. Indra plans to integrate advanced sensors, further enhancing situational awareness.
This collaboration exemplifies constructive industry partnerships, delivering tangible benefits for security and prosperity. As European allies prioritise sovereign technologies, Spain’s progress sets a model for collaborative excellence, securing communications for generations ahead.
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