The Spanish Ministry of Defense, led by Margarita Robles, has taken a significant step that redefines its security relations with Israel. The Israeli defense company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has had its license to produce SPIKE LR2 anti-tank missiles in Spain revoked. This decision, first reported by Cadena Ser and confirmed by ministry sources, aims to reorient the missile program and find non-Israeli alternatives.
The Ministry of Defense justified this move by stating its endeavor to achieve a “separation” of Spain from the Hebrew state in the security sector. This was already announced last week by Secretary of State for Defense Amparo Valcarce. The decision follows a contract awarded in October 2023, shortly before the Hamas attacks, for 168 fifth-generation anti-tank missile systems worth 285 million euros to PAP Tecnos, a Spanish subsidiary of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. This contract was intended to address the “obsolescence” of existing systems and replace them with more modern versions already in use by many EU armies.
Strategic Reorientation and Technological Sovereignty
The Spanish government had already suspended arms trade with Israel on October 7, 2023, the day the Israeli offensive in the Palestinian territories began in response to the Hamas massacre. Nevertheless, the Foreign Minister admitted that “some ongoing programs have technological dependencies on an Israeli company.” The Ministry of Defense is now working on plans to “detach” itself from the Hebrew state and achieve “zero dependency” in technological matters.
The defense industry plan approved by the government, endowed with 10,471 million euros, plays a central role in achieving Spain’s strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty. The goal is to reduce dependence on Israel and other countries, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
Challenges and Evasion Possibilities
However, the Ministry of Defense has already acknowledged difficulties in enforcing a comprehensive embargo on the purchase and sale of weapons and military equipment to Israel. This is because a large part of currently vital cybersecurity and artificial intelligence technologies are developed in Israel. Furthermore, there are concerns that such an embargo could be circumvented, even if there is a corresponding law.
With this decision, Spain is taking a clear step towards strengthening its own defense industry and reducing external dependencies, which should ultimately enhance national security.
