Spain Launches GaN Project
Indra Group, a multinational company, has launched a new GaN device and packaging project in Spain. It also involves a new foundry vendor
By Mark LaPedus
Indra Group, a multinational company, has launched a new gallium nitride (GaN) device and packaging project in Spain.
The project, called GIGaNTE (Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Advanced Packaging Technologies Research Initiative), is a strategic initiative aimed at providing Spain with the necessary capabilities to develop technologies based on GaN. The project also involves a new compound semiconductor foundry vendor.
Basically, GaN-based devices can outperform traditional silicon-based chips in various specialized applications, such as power electronics, RF and others.
Meanwhile, the GIGaNTE project in Spain involves GaN-based device design, manufacturing and packaging. This will enable the development of new devices and packaging technologies. The initiative has a budget of more than €9 million (US$10.5 million) and is expected to last for four years.
The project is led by Indra, a Madrid, Spain-based information technology, transport and defense company. This company has more than 60,000 employees and offices in 46 countries. GaN is a key technology for Indra’s efforts in radar, electronic warfare and communications.
GIGaNTE also brings together several technology companies and universities. The GIGaNTE project also includes Televes, SPARC Foundry and RBZ Robot Design. The Polytechnic University of Madrid, the University of Vigo, the University of Salamanca and the Galician Telecommunications Technology Center (GRADIANT) will also collaborate in the GaN project.
The project is part of Spain’s Science and Innovation Missions Program of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and University, managed through the Center for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI).
SPARC Foundry is key to providing the project with production capacity. Last year, Indra took a stake in SPARC, which is based in Vigo, a city on Spain’s northwest coast.
Formed in 2024, SPARC Foundry recently broke ground on its first III-V compound semiconductor manufacturing facility. Located in the Valadares Technology and Logistics Park in Vigo, the SPARC facility will feature a clean room of over 1,600m² and a production capacity of up to 20,000 wafers per year. Operations are expected to begin by the end of 2027.
“Gallium nitride is set to transform the next generation of defense and communications systems, and leading a project like GIGaNTE is a clear demonstration of Indra Group’s commitment to the development of critical technology capabilities from Spain. Undertaking the coordination of this strategic initiative allows us to foster a first-class industrial and scientific ecosystem and to advance towards much more powerful, efficient and reliable radar, electronic warfare and communications systems. Having the capacity to develop and produce it in Spain is key to strengthening the technological sovereignty and competitiveness of our industry at a time when Europe needs to have its own solutions that reinforce strategic autonomy,” said Joaquín Ponz, head of portfolio and innovation at Indra Group.