Spanish news outlet Al Mundo reveals that despite Madrid's public commitment to halt military technology purchases from Israel and the Defense Ministry's announcement of a "severing process" from Israeli technology, Spain continues procuring systems to modernize its armed forces.
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).
Spanish military forces sought 11,000 advanced radio units, with 1,500 already delivered and an additional 3,500 scheduled for handover within twelve months under the progressive agreement between the Israeli defense contractor and Spanish authorities.
Radio equipment delivery faced approximately one year of delays amid fierce opposition from far-left political factions demanding complete severance of Israeli ties, particularly regarding military hardware acquisitions during the ongoing Gaza conflict. Several parties threatened government withdrawal if arms transactions with Israel continued, resulting in cancelled ammunition purchases for Spanish domestic security forces and official statements pledging to terminate Israeli weapons deals.
Nevertheless, new "royal decree" documentation addressing Spanish military equipment procurement has emerged. Within Spain's expanded defense expenditure framework, mandated by NATO membership obligations, Spanish forces will proceed with Israeli radio system acquisitions since "domestic industry presently lacks adequate capacity for producing and delivering required systems."
Spain's Ministry of Industry declared in the royal decree that, given Spanish corporations' inability to furnish necessary military equipment due to insufficient technological expertise, capability gaps require bridging while simultaneously "procuring technological systems available commercially" to maintain military operational readiness. The Al Mundo investigation indicates device manufacturing will occur predominantly on Spanish territory using domestic facilities while incorporating Israeli technology. "Our objective involves achieving capacity for locally-produced SDR radio equipment with production oversight. This approach carries manageable risk, given the radio system relies on expertise and products from an established foreign technology firm with demonstrated technical competence and global commercial presence."
