Spain Cancels Missile Deal Amid Regional Tensions

This decision comes as the second deal to be canceled this month, following the cancellation of a contract to purchase ‘Spike’ missiles from Rafael worth 270 million euros, bringing the total value of the canceled deals to about one billion euros, according to Israeli media. The deal was signed in October 2023 as part of the Spanish ‘SILAM’ program, which aims to locally manufacture advanced missile launchers. Deliveries of the launch platforms and training missiles were scheduled to begin in 2024, followed by live weapons in 2025. This system is one of the leading systems in the global market, yet the cancellation of the deal represents a significant blow to military cooperation between and Israel amid escalating international criticism of the situation in the region. Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz had openly expressed her support for pro-Palestine demonstrations that caused the cancellation of the final stage of the ‘Vuelta a España’ cycling race in Madrid, which was to feature the Israel-Premier Tech team. She added, ‘We offer our full support to the demonstrations held in solidarity with the Palestinian people during the Vuelta race, as our citizens represent a model of dignity and moral stance.’ Israel continues its war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, a conflict that has resulted in about 64,000 Palestinian casualties and approximately 163,000 injured. It also conducts repeated air raids on several countries in the region, most notably Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Qatar, in addition to its 12-day war on Iran.