On Friday, July 17, 2026, to strengthen the army's operational capabilities and improve border security, the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Defense (MDRD) received new equipment : drones, Centauro tactical vehicles, and 179 other new vehicles.

President Luis Abinader, who attended the ceremony, emphasized that the delivery of these new vehicles is a concrete demonstration of the leading role played by the national military industry in Central America and the Caribbean. "Today, we have an exemplary military industry in Central America and the Caribbean, and we are at the forefront. It rivals the most advanced countries. We are on track to reach the level of the highest-performing Latin American countries."

For his part, Defense Minister Carlos Fernández Onofre added that the acquisition of this equipment represents "significant progress [..] The Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic continue to move resolutely toward technological advancement, consolidating a permanent surveillance capability, increased responsiveness, and multi-domain defense, in line with the challenges of the 21st century, all in service of the security, sovereignty, and defense of the Nation."

The delivered equipment included five unmanned vertical takeoff and landing (UVT) aircraft, a mobile unmanned unit mounted on an all-terrain vehicle, 179 new vehicles, 10 Centauro tactical vehicles developed by the Dominican military industry, as well as the complete renovation and equipping of seven facilities at the San Isidro Air Base.

The FURIA VBD-2, the latest armored vehicle developed and assembled by the Dominican military industry, was unveiled. It features ballistic protection, a 360-degree turret, and advanced operational capabilities. This first unit is part of a production program for 18 vehicles intended to reinforce the brigades deployed on the second line of defense along the land border.

Minister Onofre indicated that he had also received 76 patrol trucks, 25 trucks for transporting troops, equipment, and supplies, seven minibuses for safe and efficient transport, four minivans, and 67 motorcycles.

He specifically highlighted the construction and assembly of certain equipment, including the armored vehicles, adding that other products from the military industry, notably drones whose assembly will begin soon, will represent significant savings for the country's budget.

See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-46892-icihaiti-army-the-dominican-republic-produces-its-own-military-armored-vehicles.html

SL/ HaitiLibre