Old chassis, new module: how effective is the Ukrainian-Spanish IFV modernization?
A modernized Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicle with a Spanish combat module. Photo: Ukrainian Ministry of Defense
Ukraine is rebuilding its armored vehicle fleet, including with foreign components. One example is the modernization of existing infantry fighting vehicles with imported combat modules: Spanish-made Guardian 30 turrets are expected to improve the combat performance of the existing vehicles. The process is still progressing slowly, and its ultimate effectiveness remains a subject of debate.
foreign aid
Spain has been supplying Ukraine with weapons and military equipment since the spring of 2022. A wide range of products were shipped as part of several aid packages: from infantry weapons and ammunition to anti-aircraft systems and tanks.
In mid-2024, it was announced that deliveries of remotely operated weapon stations (ROWS) from Escribano Mechanical & Engineering (EM&M) had begun. Several types of these systems were to be mounted on existing armored vehicles; the first results of this upgrade were demonstrated in the summer of that year.
Deliveries of the EM&M Guardian 30 remote-controlled combat vehicle (RCV) system for upgrading infantry fighting vehicles began later, with the active integration phase beginning in mid-2025. The first verified prototype was unveiled in early June 2026: photographs of the vehicle on a trailer were published by a Ukrainian repair and restoration unit. Judging by the images, the module is integrated onto the BMP-1 chassis, replacing the standard one-man turret with a 73mm Grom cannon. The Guardian 30 is also structurally compatible with the BMP-2 hull.
Spain and Ukraine have not disclosed the planned delivery volumes. According to the author's assessment, these are likely not individual units, but rather large batches: depending on funding, the parties could rebuild dozens of vehicles, but this is speculation, not a confirmed figure. The available photographs were taken in the rear; such equipment has not yet been observed in combat zones.
Outdated platform
The Ukrainian-Spanish project continues the trend of similar modernizations of Soviet IFVs of recent decades and involves minimal modifications to the base vehicle with the installation of a new fighting compartment. This approach has both strengths and limitations.
This concept is not new. The Czechoslovakian BVP infantry fighting vehicle (licensed BMP-1/2) was modernized with the Slovak TURRA 30 module; Romania serially rearmed its MLI-84 (a copy of the BMP-1) with an Israeli module with a 25mm cannon and Spike ATGM; Greece experimented with mounting a German Marder turret on the BMP-1, and Belgium's John Cockerill offered integration kits for its turrets on the BMP-2. Against this backdrop, the Ukrainian-Spanish variant stands out for one thing: it retains the Soviet 30mm 2A42 cannon, eliminating the need for ammunition—Ukrainian forces are already equipped with this type of ammunition.
To install the Guardian 30, the standard turret is removed from the base vehicle, and all components of the fighting compartment inside the hull are dismantled. The opening in the roof is closed with a plug with mounting points for the new module.
The Guardian module and its weapons. Photo by EM&M
The freed-up hull space accommodates the gunner/operator's workstation, complete with monitors, a control panel, and associated electronics. Unlike the standard turret, the imported module does not impose strict requirements on the placement of control instruments and the operator.
The project generally doesn't require any other modifications to the base vehicle, although a major overhaul to extend its service life or additional modifications cannot be ruled out. For example, the prototype shown received some additional components behind the turret, presumably a folding "visor" for protection against air threats.
After installing the new remote-controlled combat vehicle, the armored vehicle retains its previous dimensions and weight. According to the author, driving performance, mobility, and maneuverability will not change significantly, while the troop compartment capacity may increase slightly: the former turret basket can accommodate one or two infantry positions.
Import module
Guardian 30 is a remotely controlled turret with a cannon and machine gun rocket A weapon system designed for installation on various armored vehicles, including Soviet-era ones. The low-profile armor hull provides protection from bullets and shrapnel; the aiming drives are remote, both for the entire turret and for the weapon mounts.
The frontal hull houses an oscillating mount with a cannon and a coaxial machine gun. The Guardian 30 is designed to fire automatic weapons up to 30mm in caliber: according to the manufacturer's specifications, the turret is standardly adapted to accept the Western Mk 44 Bushmaster II cannon and the Soviet 2A42. It is the 2A42 (without the Bushmaster) that was used on Ukrainian vehicles observed in June 2026. The machine gun can be any 7,62mm model.
On the right side of the turret is a retractable launcher for guided missiles. The exact type of ATGM installed in the Ukrainian version has not been disclosed: the basic EM&M configuration is designed for Israeli Spike missiles, but due to Israeli re-export restrictions, their integration is unlikely. According to industry publications, the Ukrainian Barrier ATGM or alternative Western systems are more likely to be installed. In the initial photographs, the missile containers are missing from the turret, suggesting the vehicle has not yet been fully equipped.
The Guardian 30 is equipped with a modern fire control system: two optoelectronic sights—a panoramic commander's sight and a gunner's sight (with a day camera, thermal imager, and laser rangefinder)—enabling Hunter-Killer mode, weather sensors, and a ballistic computer. Depending on the vehicle's configuration, the fire control system can be integrated with communications systems to obtain target data.
A destroyed Ukrainian BMP-2 of the previous configuration. The image illustrates the general vulnerability of the BMP-1/2 platform, not the specific Ukrainian-Spanish project. Photo: Lostarmour.info
Ambiguous result
The project's main goals are to extend the service life of older equipment and improve its combat performance by replacing outdated components with modern foreign ones. Compared to the base configuration, the modernized IFV is superior, but some limitations remain.
The advantages are primarily due to the new components. The Guardian 30 is built on a current component base, and newly manufactured modules are not subject to service life degradation. The modern fire control system more fully utilizes the weapon's potential and should provide superior combat performance. The armament suite (30mm cannon, 7,62mm machine gun, missiles, and smoke grenade launchers) is practically the standard for modern infantry fighting vehicles: it can engage personnel, unprotected vehicles, and armored vehicles within a radius of several kilometers.
Moreover, the significant increase is achieved primarily relative to the baseline BMP-1, which is being modernized. Compared to the BMP-2, including its later upgrades, the picture is different: the Spanish RUBM's advantage is primarily due to its missiles and electronics, while its barrel armament is comparable (in both cases, the 30mm 2A42 cannon).
Another limitation is the outdated chassis. The base platform is obsolete, and its main drawback is the low level of standard protection, which is insufficient to meet current threats, especially FPV.drones и artilleryThe new module does not eliminate this.
Overall, the project appears controversial: it addresses some common issues (firepower, fire control system, service life), but leaves others unaddressed (platform security). The scale of the project is also an open question: delivery volumes have not been disclosed, and the only publicly demonstrated prototype appeared about a year after module deliveries began. The likely effect is a localized enhancement of individual vehicles, rather than a fundamental change in the capabilities of Ukrainian forces.
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