Spain will send a small number of Patriot missiles to Ukraine, responding to calls from EU and NATO allies to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses amid increasing air attacks by Russia. This decision, reported by El Pais and confirmed by Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles, comes as European nations grapple with how to provide more support to Kyiv without depleting their own defensive capabilities.
The Patriot missiles, which are a vital component of a modern air defense system capable of intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles, have become a centerpiece of Ukraine’s requests for military aid. However, Spain has ruled out sending the launchers for these missiles. According to El Pais, citing unidentified government sources, the contribution will be “a very limited number,” given that Spain’s war reserves are around 50 units, and the interceptors are costly.
The decision was influenced by the refusal of the Spanish defense ministry to repurpose a battery previously deployed on the Turkish-Syrian border since 2013. Instead, Spain’s contribution will be limited to the missiles that can be used with existing systems. Madrid has a total of three Patriot batteries it acquired second-hand from Germany in 2004 and 2014.
This news comes in the context of a broader European reluctance to supply high-end air defense systems. While Germany has committed to sending one Patriot system, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also confirmed that Greece would not provide its air defense systems, citing them as “critical to our deterrent capability” with regard to their own regional security concerns, particularly the rivalry with Turkey.
The supply of Spanish missiles to Ukraine is part of a larger commitment by Western nations to support Kyiv’s defense. Alongside the Patriot missiles, Spain also pledged to send additional equipment over the coming months, including machine guns, vehicles, field artillery howitzers, 155 mm and 120 mm shells, anti-drone equipment, and Leopard tanks.
Ukraine has made it clear that more air defense systems are urgently needed to protect its cities and infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier communicated to NATO that a minimum of seven such systems are needed to counter Russian air strikes. He poignantly expressed the importance of these systems: “Patriots can only be called air defense systems if they work and save lives rather than standing immobile somewhere in storage bases.”
Despite the clear need, the hesitancy from some countries to provide complete systems has been a point of contention. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius publicly expressed his incomprehension over the reluctance of Spain and Greece to part with their Patriots, emphasizing the importance of solidarity in the face of Ukraine’s plight.
Relevant articles:
– Spain to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine, El Pais reports, reuters.com, 04/26/2024
– Spain to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine amid mounting pressure from EU and NATO allies, report says, Business Insider, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:09:00 GMT
– Spain confirms plans to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine, Kyiv Independent, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:06:25 GMT
– Greece, Spain will refuse to send Ukraine air defense systems, POLITICO Europe, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 08:50:00 GMT
– Report: Spain To Send Patriot Missiles To Ukraine, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 08:56:19 GMT