The Spanish government authorizes the acquisition of Israeli defense technology from Elbit Systems with an initial funding of 350 million euros.

The Spanish government authorizes the acquisition of Israeli defense technology from Elbit Systems with an initial funding of 350 million euros.

Recent developments show the Spanish government backing away from its previous statements and authorizing the acquisition of Israeli defense technology from Elbit Systems.

The procurement involves tactical radio communication systems (SCRT), with initial funding of 350 million euros ($393 million) allocated in the 2025 defense budget. The comprehensive deal includes subsequent phases and additional acquisitions totaling 768 million euros ($862 million).

  • Trincapinones@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    7·
    24 hours ago

    From ElMundo:

    Regarding the information published by the newspaper El Mundo under the title “The Government recedes and authorizes Defense to buy technology from Israel for its rearmament plan”, the Ministry of Industry clarifies: 1. That the Royal Decree referred to in the information has not been approved today in the Council of Ministers, as the media assures. This Royal Decree is in the phase of hearing and public information, whose term to present allegations covers from Thursday, July 3, 2025 until Wednesday, July 23, 2025, which in itself prevents its approval in the Council of Ministers. It can be consulted at https://industria.gob.es/eses/participacion_publica/Paginas/DetalleParticipacionPublica.aspx?k=73

    1.2. The purpose of this Royal Decree is to initiate a process of granting loans for programs in which the Ministry of Defense has not yet identified the contractor. The information in El Mundo deliberately ignores the part of the text of the Royal Decree in which it is stated that “The Ministry of Defense is currently finalizing the process of determining the companies that will develop the programs object of this Royal Decree” (sic).

    1. Regarding the SCRT Program, the statement in the Royal Decree that “the national industry does not currently have sufficient capacity for the manufacture and supply of the required systems” does not imply, in any case, that this material will be purchased from Israel. In this regard, the Government of Spain reiterates its commitment not to make arms purchases from Israel.
    1. Likewise, it is also not true, as the news claims, that in order to acquire this capability it is necessary “to make a transfer of technology from the Israeli Elbit System to Spain”. This interpretation is totally unfounded. In any case, it will be up to the Ministry of Defense to determine, with funding from the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, the contractor to provide this equipment.
          • edel@lemmy.mlEnglish
            3·
            18 hours ago

            I don’t know beepers, but any small or middle size country, in this convoluted world, should either heavily diversify in weaponry (Pakistan today) develop their own (France 1960s and Sweden 1980s) or just heavily and unequivocally declare themselves neutral but develop enough defenses to become a pain in the ass (Finland 1950-1990s or Switzerland 1900-2010s). Any other way, you will end up heavily exploited to the bone, when not dragged into an unwanted war)