Tel Aviv: The Spanish defence forces are seeking immediate alternatives for Israeli defence systems after the Spanish government decision to cancel all procurement of Israeli systems, as part of the opposition to the ongoing fighting in Gaza.
Israeli sources said that in direct talks with Israeli defence companies, Spanish procurement officers showed big frustration from the political decision. “The Israeli companies that have signed contracts with Spain work with local Spanish companies and their officials are also expressing concern about the outcome of their government decision,” one of the sources said.
The Spanish government’s decision to cancel arms procurement contracts with Israeli defence firms has had a significant impact on the Spanish Army. Spain canceled contracts worth nearly $1.18 billion, including deals for the SILAM high-mobility rocket launchers and Spike LR anti-tank missile systems, which were intended to equip the Spanish Army and Marines. These cancellations came as part of a broader government policy to impose an embargo on Israel, motivated by the current conflict in Gaza .
After formally cancelling authorisation for these Israeli systems, the Ministry of Defence is currently looking for alternatives, including equipment from American and Spanish sources, to replace the rejected Israeli technology. The Spanish government is making this change in an attempt to cut military-technological connections with Israel and lessen the Spanish Army’s reliance on Israeli defence supplies. Additionally, the government has announced that some of the technology replacements will be replaced by Spanish defence firms.
Directly impacted by the government’s embargo and the cancellation of contracts for important Israeli systems, the Spanish Army must find substitute equipment and modify its purchase plans in response to the political decision. As the integration of weapons of Israeli provenance is phased out, this necessitates a change in the sourcing of materials and could affect timelines and capabilities.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
