The contract published on the contracting platform sets an estimated value of €27,276,480 to equip Army units deployed on NATO missions on the eastern flank. Technical documentation emphasizes that the goal is to ensure real operation below -20°C, a threshold where current equipment begins to degrade its performance.
Sources consulted in experienced brigades in Latvia explain that the combination of wind, humidity and prolonged work in fixed positions generates critical heat losses. That’s why the Army offers a multi-layer clothing system, which, according to a 2024 Congressional Research Service analysis indirectly cited by logistics leaders, increases a Soldier’s thermal autonomy by up to 35% compared to previous generations.
What exactly has changed with the new army team?
First layer: Thermal base that prevents “moisture breakdown”
| Parameter | He deserves |
|---|---|
| Estimated maximum cost | €27.27 million (Framework Agreement) |
The base of the system is a thermal undershirt and pants, made of cotton and polyamide, designed to evacuate moisture without losing insulation. Logistics Headquarters leaders explain that the critical point is not the cold itself, but the residual moisture generated during the 90-minute marches. The new clothing integrates reinforcements in the elbows, shoulders, seat and crotch, avoiding premature wear while working with a weapon or communications equipment.
Second layer: fleece lining with windproof membrane
- Made of 100% polyester, it has an inner membrane that blocks winds of over 40 km/h.
This second layer offers details that have caught the attention of the world’s tech media: a piece that prevents the zipper from rubbing against the chin, five functional pockets and elbow supports. According to an analysis conducted by the US Army Test Center in 2023 – and cited by Spanish officers in NATO forums – this structure most reduces heat loss due to conduction during guard duty at fixed positions.
Jacket, trousers and outer barriers: the key in the Baltic Sea
The hooded jacket and multi-layer insulation form the real thermal wall. The outer fabric, which is polyamide with a waterproof and breathable membrane, is combined with four horizontal stitches to stabilize the padding and avoid the “shifting effect” during sudden movements. The interior includes two mesh pockets and an exclusive thermal lining on the collar and hood.
The pants, for their part, include supports, a full side zip for ventilation, and removable gaiters. Designed to work with snowshoes or skis, it uses a hybrid mesh and thermal fabric lining that improves sweat management during extended climbs. This is the “hidden truth” of the tender: the new kit is not just a replacement, but a standardization of a system compatible with advanced winter mobility, a requirement expressed by NATO in its 2024 Logistics Directives.
Tactical gloves suitable for military weapons and tablets
- It includes haptic reinforcements on the thumb and index finger for use with the HK G36 RIFLE and ND-R Tactical Tablets.
Mountain gloves include synthetic leather, a waterproof membrane, and reinforcement that allows for touchscreen use. The loop and carabiner design makes it easy to carry in jackets and prevents loss in snowy situations. This type of glove, according to RAND analysts in 2022, reduces transition times between weapons tasks and digital communications by 18%.
Extremely cold boots: the most demanding part of the decade
The high shoe includes an independent sock-shaped cushioning with four technical layers. Water resistance tests exceed 150,000 tread cycles on water, and internal temperature drop does not exceed 10°C in freezing scenarios. The rubber floor and surrounding spikes allow operation on ice, frozen grass or rocky ground without loss of stability, a critical need during mixed patrols with the Estonian allies.
Technical sock and panoramic glasses: details that prevent losses due to weather
Made from 76% hollow polyester, the thick sock adds a thermal chamber that protects foot circulation. The elastic band prevents movement during long walks and the “engineered pile” facilitates moisture evacuation. Ski goggles with orange polycarbonate lenses allow you to read reliefs in dense fog and reduce pointing errors, according to internal PCAMI tests.
The program’s logistics also reflect a paradigm shift. Each item must arrive with a unique code and the legend “Army Property”. PCAMI testing can reject entire batches if a serious nonconformity is detected, a standard that complies with NATO AQAP 2110.
What does this contract mean for Spain’s missions?
Upgrading the equipment allows it to match the standards of allies such as Norway, Canada or Finland. Spanish eFP commanders point out that the new thermal line will reduce accidents due to surface icing and increase the effectiveness of night patrols. With deployment expected to continue in upcoming NATO rotations, this equipment strengthens the Spanish presence on the eastern flank and improves operational independence in extreme cold scenarios.