Spain cancels Israeli missile contract as it moves to cut military ties
Spain’s Ministry of Defense has canceled a $310 million contract with the Israeli regime and annulled the manufacturing license of the Israeli Spike LR2 anti-tank missiles.
Spain’s Ministry of Defense on Tuesday took another step towards ending the European country’s military ties with the Israeli regime.
Additionally, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles’ office has revoked the contract initially given in October 2023 to Pap Tecnos, the Spanish subsidiary of Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
The purchase included 168 launch units, 1,680 Spike LR2 missiles, and full logistical support by Rafael and its subsidiary.
The Ministry had previously justified the contract due to the obsolescence of Spain’s current missile systems and Rafael's technical capacity as a qualified provider.
However, the Ministry has changed its stance since it became aware that the Israeli regime’s forces have used Spike LR2 missiles in the Gaza war.
The current decision has come just six weeks after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez ordered the Ministry of Interior Affairs to unilaterally cancel a separate $7.5 million agreement with Elbit Systems for more than 15 million 9-mm bullets.
Last week, Secretary of State for Defense Amparo Valcarce said Spain was considering "disconnection plans" to make sure Spain no longer relies on Israeli technology.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares recently said that Spain would request the “immediate suspension” of the European Union’s cooperation agreement with Israel, and would urge partners to impose an arms embargo on the regime.
Spain has been a long-time critic of the Israeli regime’s policies toward Palestinians in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank.
Since the start of the Gaza war, Spain has become one of the most outspoken European critics of the Israeli regime’s genocidal actions in Gaza.
Spain outraged the Israeli regime in May of 2024 when its Council of Ministers recognized Palestinian statehood.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, since October 7, 2023, when the Israeli regime began its genocidal war in Gaza, the regime has killed 54,510 and injured 124,901, most of whom are children and women.
‘Ready for long war of attrition’: Snippets from Hamas spox Abu Obeida’s latest speech
Hamas calls for global mobilization to stop Gaza ‘genocide and starvation’
Israeli strike on church sheltering displaced Gazans may constitute war crime: UN Rights Office
‘Ready for long war of attrition’: Snippets from Hamas spox Abu Obeida’s latest speech
Iran’s agricultural renaissance with smart farming
Hamas calls for global mobilization to stop Gaza ‘genocide and starvation’
VIDEO | Israel opens new Magen Oz corridor, splitting Gaza’s key city of Khan Yunis
By cheering Israeli-US aggression, Germany confirms its deep-rooted hostility toward Iran
Court rules Trump’s ICC sanctions order unconstitutional, halts enforcement
Kremlin shrugs off new EU sanctions, citing Russia’s built-up immunity
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
