Indra targets tank manufacturer Santa Bárbara

MADRIDSanta Bárbara, one of the main defense sector factories in the State, is at the center of a controversy between its owner, the American company General Dynamics, and the company Indra, also in the defense sector, majority-owned by the State through SEPI. Everything began to escalate just over a week ago, when the new president of Indra, Ángel Escribano, stated that he was willing to buy the Santa Bárbara factory in Asturias, although it is not for sale. "Of course," Escribano replied in an interview with New Spain. This Thursday, during his appearance before the Congress of Deputies, the president of Indra not only reaffirmed his position, but also accused General Dynamics of "destroying almost all of the industrial fabric that the company once had."

These are the last words that this Tuesday, after the Financial Times has been echoed, have led the American company to defend itself: "We maintain our commitment to the Spanish government to support and increase Spain's capacity to design and manufacture combat vehicles," General Dynamics noted in a press release. This company has its European headquarters in Madrid and bought Santa Bárbara 25 years ago, when it was in the hands of the Spanish government.

Behind Escribano's words is Indra's desire to gain a strong foothold in the defense sector, a strategy that Marc Murtra began to channel in 2021, when he was appointed president. Now, the context of European rearmament has only given wings to these plans. Furthermore, it must be taken into account that Escribano is a manager who, through his family's company, has dedicated his entire life to this sector, and that he has the support of the Spanish government to do so: Pedro Sánchez's plans envision making Indra, where the State holds 28% of the share capital, the "champion" of defense in the State. Government sources have declined to comment on the clash between the two companies.

Indra's acquisition of Santa Bárbara would also mean taking control of defense manufacturing, most notably armored vehicles for the Spanish army and the assembly of Leopard tanks. This is important because one of these vehicles is the 8x8, developed by the Tess Defense consortium, which, in addition to Santa Bárbara, also includes Indra, Escribano, and SAPA. However, this vehicle has been experiencing delivery delays for months and, in fact, is one of the fronts that Ángel Escribano has inherited from Marc Murtra.