Spain’s Marines Integrate Seeker UAS

Spain’s Tercio de Armada Marine Corps Brigade (BRIMAR) has officially received the latest version of the Seeker UAS, a light fixed-wing system produced in Spain, following the successful completion of specialised training for its operators, according to a 23rd June press release. 

This delivery, made on May 21st, marks a key phase of the CIMSEE-22 project, which falls under Spain’s broader RAPAZ program. The initiative aims to enhance the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of military units operating in demanding environments.

Training for the system combined theoretical and practical sessions, taking place at the Tercio de Armada base in San Fernando, Cádiz, and at the El Retín Military Training Area. Practical exercises at El Retín allowed operators to develop skills under real conditions, including nighttime and long-range operations, intelligence gathering for targets, specialized maneuvers, and launching operations in complex situations. 

The integration of the Seeker UAS fits within Spain’s wider efforts to modernize its armed forces and enhance national defense capabilities. The RAPAZ program, led by the Spanish Sub-Directorate-General for Planning, Technology and Innovation, focuses on evaluating domestically developed Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for ISR missions. This program connects military users with manufacturers to ensure platforms meet operational needs. 

This is not the first delivery of the Seeker UAS to the Spanish forces. The RPAZ program also led to the procurement of a small number of systems in 2020 for the country’s paratroopers and marines. The domestic supply chain for the Seeker reportedly meant that delivery could be completed despite the COVID pandemic. It is worth noting that this is a growing pain point for European drone manufacturers and software companies in the defence tech space, which often rely on parts and chips manufactured in China. Moving away from Chinese parts is likely to be a consistent undercurrent in the defence market for the next decade, until a viable alternative ecosystem develops.

Tech profile: Seeker UAS

The Seeker UAS is an autonomous fixed-wing system designed for ISR operations. It has been designed and manufactured by Aurea Avionics and GMV. Both companies have affirmed their commitment to national sovereignty through technological solutions entirely designed and manufactured in Spain. Aurea produces the drone and it appears that GMV has supplied the mission system. 

• Weight: 3.5 kilograms, classifying it within the lighter end of the Mini UAS category (between 2 and 15 kg MTOW).
• Endurance: 120 minutes.
• Operational Capability: Developed to operate in land and coastal scenarios, including adverse weather conditions like rain. It has demonstrated reliability during previous evaluations by BRIMAR. Autonomous launch and recovery. 

Calibre comment

The RPAZ program has been underway since 2016 and has enabled many of the country’s domestic companies to come forward with solutions and test them with the Spanish Ministry of Defence. It appears to have focused on encouraging cooperation between the armed forces and domestic industry, and to have done so successfully. This is a notable development because it is often seen as difficult for an MoD to go from an experimental project designed to assess what capabilities are available, to delivery of in-service systems. The success of the Seeker UAS may be indicative of an approach that is worth learning from.

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on 24th June, 2025.