Rheinmetall and EM&E Group submit revised SILAM proposal to Spanish MoD

Spanish defence company EM&E Group (formerly Escribano Mechanical & Engineering) and Rheinmetall Expal Munitions, the Spanish subsidiary of Rheinmetall, have submitted a revised proposal to the Spanish Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the SILAM High Mobility Rocket Launcher System (Sistema Lanzador de Alta Movilidad), representing a national alternative to the existing programme, Rheinmetall announced on 14 January 2026.

The SILAM (Sistema Lanzador de Alta Movilidad) programme is a major Spanish defence initiative aimed at restoring the Spanish Army’s long-range rocket artillery capabilities. Escribano and Rheinmetall Expal Munitions had initially forwarded a SILAM proposal incorporating the Israeli PULS launcher built by Elbit Systems, but the Spanish government decided to retract its decision to procure this design in September 2025 due to objections on humanitarian grounds related to Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza.

With the goal of defining a viable Spanish solution in the shortest possible time, UTE SILAM (the joint venture between Rheinmetall Expal Munitions and EM&E) has maintained intense and continuous co-ordination with Spain’s Directorate General of Armament and Material of the State Secretariat for Defence, Rheinmetall noted. This joint effort has allowed for an in-depth analysis of the operational needs for the programme and the existing capabilities, laying the foundations for a system fully aligned with the strategic interests of Spain.

As a result of this co-ordinated effort, UTE SILAM has submitted a phased proposal for the development of a rocket artillery system, conceived from the outset as a fully national programme in Spain. The proposal includes the delivery of operational and test launchers, as well as ammunition, reconnaissance assets and command post vehicles, along with the development and qualification of training and guided rockets. This approach, Rheinmetall states, will allow for progressive advancement toward the system’s full technological maturity, ensuring its suitability for operational requirements and its long-term sustainability.

The SILAM programme is also integrated into Spain’s Industrial and Technological Plan for Security and Defence as a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening the national industrial and technological base in Spain. In this context the project not only addresses the operational requirements of the Spanish armed forces while contributing to the development of defence capabilities for the European Union and NATO, but also reinforces key industrial capabilities, national supply chains and technological innovation, Rheinmetall asserted.

“The development of this system represents a significant step forward in the leadership of the Spanish defence industry, positioning it in a highly specialised technological field currently dominated by very few countries,” stated Rheinmetall. “This initiative consolidates the national industry as a reliable and capable strategic partner, able to undertake complex programmes, thereby increasing its competitiveness and future prospects. Furthermore, the programme will enable the independent acquisition of national expertise in the design, development and manufacture of guided rockets, guaranteeing sovereign control of critical knowledge and the complete system lifecycle. This technological autonomy strengthens national sovereignty, increases the resilience of the defence system, and constitutes a fundamental pillar of strategic autonomy,” Rheinmetall added.