Seven Spanish technology centers join forces in GUARDIANES, the first excellence network in artificial intelligence for Security and Defense
The project, funded by CDTI under the Cervera Strategic Programs, began in January 2026 with a budget of almost €6 million and a three-year duration.
[Place, date] — Spain takes a decisive step toward technological sovereignty in defense with the launch of GUARDIANES (Excellence Network in Artificial Intelligence Technologies for Security and Defense), a strategic R&D&i initiative funded by the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI) of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, under the Cervera Grants for Technology Centers.
The consortium is made up of seven leading national technology centers: ITI (coordinator), CARTIF, CIRCE, CTIC, FIDESOL, IBV and ITG. Together they bring together more than 1,700 researchers, specialized laboratories spread across the country, and a track record of hundreds of European projects in data and artificial intelligence technologies.
A response to the strategic challenge of AI in defense
In a geopolitical context where NATO, the European Union and the Spanish Government itself have identified artificial intelligence as a critical technology for collective security, GUARDIANES was created with the goal of making Spain a generator of AI technologies applied to defense.
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.
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 and a three-year duration (2026-2028), the GUARDIANES network has set ambitious goals: bringing in 33 new PhD researchers, increasing collaborations with international centers and universities by 62%, and expanding by 31% the number of Spanish companies involved in international defense projects.
Beyond its scientific and technological impact, the initiative aims to strengthen the national business fabric, particularly ICT and defense SMEs, by giving them access to experimentation platforms, specialized training and collaborative projects at the European level.
More information: [Project website URL]
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