New pistols, batons and shields for city police
The Barcelona City Council has launched three public tenders to renew the equipment of the Guardia Urbana, investing €1.46 million in new weapons and protective gear. The supplies are scheduled to be delivered starting in 2027 and form part of an ongoing modernisation of the municipal police force’s operational resources. The largest portion of the investment, €1.3 million including VAT, will go towards acquiring 1,520 new standard-issue pistols over the 2027 and 2028 fiscal years. The contract is divided into two lots: 1,500 full-size pistols, with 750 to be delivered each year, along with holsters and accessories; and 20 compact pistols, ten per year. The new firearms will replace between 2,300 and 2,500 Walther P99 pistols currently in service. The winning supplier must remove Guardia Urbana identification from any weapons not designated for destruction.
Updated batons for all officers
A separate tender, worth €50,384.40 including VAT, covers the supply of extendable and rigid police batons. The contract is split into two lots and is expected to run from 1st January 2027 to 31st December 2028, with an option to extend for a further two years. The award will be based primarily on price through a simplified open procedure, as confirmed in the procurement documentation.
Ballistic gear for emergency unit
The third contract, valued at €73,071.90 including VAT, is dedicated to the Unit for Reinforcement of Emergencies and Proximity (UREP), a specialised Guardia Urbana unit. It includes the purchase of two rigid ballistic shields, one modular or foldable shield, 12 helmets with ballistic visors, and 12 plate carrier systems with protective plates. This upgrade follows the 2024 introduction of six Rapid Intervention Vehicles for Emergencies (VIRE), which require fully equipped teams for armed threat responses. According to the contract report, the goal is to ensure these vehicles are operationally ready for high-risk interventions.
These renewals respond to the need to replace obsolete equipment, equip new police promotions, and enhance officer safety during operations.
The equipment rollout is part of a broader update of the Guardia Urbana’s material resources, driven by the Area Management of Security, Prevention, and Coexistence. While the investment comes ahead of the 2027 municipal elections, the council has justified the timing based on operational necessity rather than political timing.
Sources: El Periódico, euroopahanked.ee.
