3 questions to David Robles Esclarín from GDELS

We asked 3 questions to David Robles Esclarín from GDELS (Spain)

Why did your company get involved in the COMMANDS?

At GDELS, we firmly believe in collaborative innovation, and COMMANDS represents a dynamic innovation ecosystem with highly capable partners. Both the COMMANDS’ operational use cases and its methodology are fully aligned with our product innovation roadmap. Participating allows us to co-create solutions, share knowledge, and accelerate the development and implementation of impactful UGV technologies. We see this initiative as a strategic opportunity to contribute meaningfully while advancing our own innovation goals.

What is your specific role in the project?

GDELS participates as an OEM of ground vehicles, with a leading role in integrating organic systems with platforms in the tactical space, a prerequisite for achieving full interoperability across tactical, operational, and strategic levels, the System of Systems core of COMMANDS. My role in COMMANDS is dual: I lead GDELS project management activities and contribute as a systems engineer. I am particularly involved in the final phase of COMMANDS, where GDELS, as system integrator, plays a central role in the technological demonstration of integrated MUM-T capabilities.

How do you see the added value of COMMANDS for the European armed forces?

COMMANDS brings significant added value to European armed forces by addressing the technological challenge of integrating UGVs into operations, not as isolated tools with limited roles, but as integral assets across tactical, operational, and strategic levels, in close coordination with the soldier, the core of the MUM-T concept. The final technological demonstration in a relevant military scenario proves the short-term viability of these capabilities. Strategically, COMMANDS reinforces European technological sovereignty and supply chain security by ensuring that all developments and technologies are 100% European.