La defensa invertirá 8 millones en red 5G en Zaragoza para entrenar al ejército en drones

The Ministry of Defense has published a contract valued at 8 million euros for an «independent» 5G private network («pure» 5G) and a virtual mobile operator (OMV) at the San Gregorio Training Center (Zaragoza) to enhance and adapt the Army Earth tool to the new technological context.

The implementation of this infrastructure will allow, among other things, training in the management of drones and unmanned ground vehicles in a «controlled and secure» environment.

Defense believes that with the creation of this «advanced 5G communications infrastructure,» the San Gregorio facilities will position themselves as a «worldwide reference center» by promoting technological and comprehensive security capabilities with the European Union (EU) and NATO, as detailed in the documentation published on the state portal.

In fact, the implementation of this project is the first in a series of six interrelated initiatives that will cover «different aspects of technological innovation» in the military.

In this sense, it is expected that the «independent» 5G network at the San Gregorio center will allow, in addition to experimenting with drones and unmanned ground vehicles, the implementation of technologies such as «Internet of the battlefield» (IOBT).

This will be complemented by the expansion of training capabilities with augmented reality systems and simulators in a 5G environment, which is expected to enable «more precise and realistic practices» by integrating «new threats and tactics» such as unauthorized ground vehicles, drones, ROI drones, and friendly fire.

«This infrastructure will allow the opposing force (OPFOR) to simulate complex scenarios and train to respond to advanced combat situations,» adds the tender documentation.

The development of this new 5G network will also allow the Army to experiment with emerging technologies «that may have applications in other civilian or military environments in the future.»

«This technological advancement will position the San Gregorio Center as one of the main military training centers in Europe and the world, capable of hosting crises like that of Ukraine,» it adds.

The deadline for submitting bids for this contract, which is funded by the European Union, will end on April 21, and the award time will be 12 months.

FUENTE