Spain cancels €285 million missile deal with Israeli arms subsidiary

Spain halts Israeli-linked missile project over policy shift

Spain has cancelled a €285 million contract for anti-tank missile systems that were to be manufactured in Madrid by Pap Tecnos, a local subsidiary of Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems.

The move forms part of a broader shift in Spanish defence policy aimed at reducing reliance on Israeli military technology, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.

The cancelled order covered 168 SPIKE LR2 systems, a next-generation anti-tank missile designed for long-range precision targeting. Although the weapons were set to be assembled domestically, the core technology and licensing originated in Israel.

Government spokesperson Pilar Alegría said the decision reflects a strategic realignment. “The goal is clear: a total disconnection from Israeli technology,” she stated during a press conference, adding that authorities are currently reviewing the full implications of the cancellation.

The contract had been approved on 3 October 2023—just four days before the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel that triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Ministry had previously justified the purchase by citing the obsolescence of current Spanish systems and the need to align with NATO standards.

This marks the second major procurement reversal linked to Israeli firms. In May, Spain scrapped a €6.8 million order for ammunition from an Israeli supplier following political and public pressure.

Despite assertions by Spain’s left-wing government that arms exports to Israel have been suspended, investigative reports have suggested that limited shipments may have continued.

In a broader diplomatic context, Spain recognised the State of Palestine in May 2024, joining Norway and Ireland in a coordinated move. The country also became the first in Europe to formally seek participation in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice—a case Israel has rejected as baseless.

Spain is expected to present a resolution before the United Nations General Assembly aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza.