Spanish Government Cancels Weapons Contract With Israeli Firm
Spain has canceled a major arms deal with Israeli defense contractor Rafael, halting a $310 million contract for 168 Spike LR2 antitank missile systems. The Spanish Defense Ministry confirmed Tuesday that it had suspended the production license held by Rafael’s Spanish subsidiary, Pap Tecnos, as part of an effort to end reliance on Israeli military technology in light of Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza.
The agreement, approved in October 2023—just days before the October 7 Hamas-led assault on Israel—would have supplied launchers, missiles, and logistical support to Spain’s military. Now, Spain is exploring alternatives, including the US-made Javelin system developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
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The cancellation of the agreement follows Spain’s April cancellation of a separate $15 million purchase of Israeli-made ammunition.
Spain has been a harsh critic of Israel, especially as Israel has ramped up operations in Gaza, and has no active arms sales with the country. In May, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described Israel as “a genocidal state,” and last week Barcelona ended a “friendship agreement” with Tel Aviv.
“We are working so that there is no dependence on Israeli companies in the future,” Secretary of State for Defense Amparo Valcarce said last week.
The decision comes as Israel faces mounting international legal scrutiny. The International Court of Justice is hearing a genocide case brought by South Africa, while the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Netanyahu has denounced the charges as “absurd and false.”
