Politics · Spain · 4 hrs ago
Spain plans 15 new arms contracts worth more than €10 billion
Spain’s Defence Ministry plans to sign 15 new arms contracts before year-end.
The contracts are worth more than €10 billion in total, with nearly €1.5 billion to be spent this year.
That spending would allow Spain to meet its NATO pledge to devote 2% of its economy to military spending for a second year in a row.
The new projects would bring the number of major arms programmes under way to 94.
Unlike many earlier programmes, these focus more on upgrading equipment already in service, including aircraft and helicopters, and developing missiles and defences against drones.
Spain aims to keep 80% of the investment at home and 90% in Europe.
The government has approved a higher spending limit, and further approvals are planned so all 15 contracts can be awarded by 31 December.
Spain’s Defence Ministry plans to sign contracts before the end of 2026 for 15 new military modernisation programmes worth more than €10 billion.
The contracts are expected to require nearly €1.5 billion in spending during 2026.
The programmes would bring the number of major arms programmes under way to 94, including 79 already in progress.
The plans focus largely on modernising existing equipment and improving its capabilities, including missile and counter-drone systems.
The stated aim is for 80% of the investment to take place in Spain and 90% in Europe.
- Who
- Spain’s Ministry of Defence plans to sign the contracts.
- What
- It plans 15 new Special Modernisation Programmes worth more than €10 billion.
- When
- The contracts are due to be signed before the end of 2026.
- Where
- Spain; the stated investment aim is for 80% of spending to take place in Spain and 90% in Europe.
- Why
- The programmes are intended to modernise military equipment and improve its capabilities. The spending would also help Spain meet its NATO commitment to allocate 2% of GDP to military spending for a second consecutive year.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Council of Ministers approved the increase in the spending ceiling needed to launch the programmes.
The Council of Ministers approved the purchase of 18 H135 and four H160 helicopters for the Interior Ministry for €392 million.
The government was approving Industry Ministry decrees to allow pre-financing for most of the programmes.
The 15 contracts are due to be awarded.
- New programmes
- 15
- Total contract value
- More than €10 billion
- Spending in 2026
- Nearly €1.5 billion
- Major arms programmes after additions
- 94, including 79 already under way
- Eurofighter modernisation
- €1.438 billion
- Robust PNT capability programme
- €3.302 billion