Spain’s Indra Group is leading a new research initiative aimed at establishing the country’s first domestic ecosystem for gallium nitride technology, a key semiconductor material used in advanced defense electronics. The project, called GIGaNTE, represents a nine-million-euro research and development effort supported by the Spanish government’s Science and Innovation Missions Program. The initiative brings together industry partners and academic researchers to develop high-performance electronic devices and circuits capable of operating at the high frequencies required for modern radar systems, military communications networks, and electronic warfare equipment. Gallium nitride technology offers significant advantages for defense electronics because it allows devices to operate with greater power efficiency, improved thermal performance, and higher frequency capabilities compared with conventional semiconductor materials. Through the GIGaNTE project, Indra and its partners aim to establish a complete national value chain covering design, manufacturing, integration, and validation of gallium nitride-based components. This capability could enable Spain to produce advanced electronic modules and antennas domestically, improving the performance and reliability of defense communications systems. Several technology companies are participating in the program. Televes Corporación, SPARC Foundry, and RBZ Robot Design will contribute expertise in advanced electronics manufacturing, circuit development, and industrial production platforms. Academic institutions including the Polytechnic University of Madrid, the University of Vigo, and the University of Salamanca, along with the GRADIANT research center, will conduct specialized studies in gallium nitride device architectures, system characterization, and integrated circuit design. The initiative forms part of broader Spanish efforts to expand military communications infrastructure and strengthen technological autonomy in defense. In February 2025, Spain launched the SpainSat NG I secure communications satellite to support military operations using X-band, military Ka-band, and UHF frequencies. A second satellite, SpainSat NG II, was launched in October 2025 to expand secure communications coverage for Spanish forces and NATO partners. During the same year, Spanish Army radar units deployed to Romania contributed to NATO air surveillance missions, highlighting the role of advanced electronic systems in allied defense operations.
