IBV and six Spanish technology centres join their forces in GUARDIANES, the first network of excellence in artificial intelligence for Security and Defence
Spain is taking a decisive step towards technological sovereignty in defence with the launch of GUARDIANES (Network of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence Technologies for Security and Defence), a strategic R&D&I initiative funded by the Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation (CDTI) of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, within the framework of the Cervera Grants for Technology Centres.
The consortium is made up of seven leading national technology centres: ITI (coordinator), Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV), CARTIF, CIRCE, CTIC, FIDESOL and ITG. Together, they bring together more than 1,700 researchers, specialist laboratories distributed throughout Spain and an accumulated track record of hundreds of European projects in data technologies and artificial intelligence.
A response to the strategic challenge of AI in defence
In a geopolitical context in which NATO, the European Union and the Government of Spain itself have identified artificial intelligence as a critical technology for collective security, GUARDIANES has been created with the aim of positioning Spain as a country that generates AI technologies applied to defence.
The project focuses on four major technological pillars: the management and generation of high-quality data for operational environments; the development of new computing paradigms; research into advanced algorithms and scenario simulation; and the ethical and responsible governance of AI. Within this framework, IBV contributes its expertise in the non-contact assessment of physiological parameters and in image-based action recognition, with the aim of bringing intelligence to the advanced algorithms that will make it possible to determine the health status of injured people in rescue operations, supporting triage, and to detect actions or activities that may pose a potential risk.
These developments will be validated in two representative scenarios: a tactical rescue operation in a multi-domain conflict environment and an intelligent surveillance and control system for critical border infrastructure.
Expected impact
With an overall budget of 5.99 million euros and a duration of three years (2026–2028), the GUARDIANES network has set itself ambitious targets: to recruit 33 new PhD holders, increase collaborations with international centres and universities by 62% and expand by 31% the number of Spanish companies involved in international defence projects.
In addition to its scientific and technological impact, the initiative seeks to strengthen Spain’s business fabric, particularly SMEs in the ICT and defence sectors, by facilitating access to experimentation platforms, specialist training and collaborative projects at European level.
Further information: http://redguardianes.es/
Project (CER-20251017) recognised as a CERVERA Network of Excellence, funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation E.P.E. (CDTI).
