Spain's first armored vehicle, a truck built on a French Latil chassis, was specifically designed for use in the Rif War (1921–1926) in Morocco. The vehicle was armed with machine guns and featured steel plating for protection against small arms fire.
According to historical records, the Spanish Army ordered the conversion of several Latil TAR trucks into armored cars in the early 1920s. These vehicles were used for reconnaissance, convoy escort, and troop transport in the rugged terrain of the Rif region.
The Rif War was a conflict between Spain and the Berber tribes of the Rif Mountains, led by Abd el-Krim. The Spanish military sought to modernize its equipment to counter guerrilla tactics, leading to the development of early armored vehicles.
While exact production numbers are unclear, the Latil-based armored trucks represented an early example of Spain's efforts to mechanize its army. The vehicles saw limited service but provided valuable lessons for future armored car designs.
