Spain will supply Ukraine with a new military aid package worth around 615 million euros, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Monday. The defence assistance package includes crucial missiles for IRIS-T air defence systems to protect Ukrainian skies from Russian winter assaults.
Addressing a press conference alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Sanches said within a month Spain will adopt a new military aid package that will include EUR 300 million under an agreement whereby Spain will allocate EUR 1 billion annually in military assistance to Ukraine.
Moreover, 300 million euros will be allocated for the purchase of anti-drone equipment and radars, many of which are produced by Spanish companies, Sanchez said. Of these, EUR 215 million will be allocated through the EU's SAFE instrument and EUR 100 million will be sent through Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List, which enables NATO member countries to procure US-made weapons for Ukraine.
Extending gratitude for the new defence assistance package, which includes air defense missiles, Zelenskiy said: “These are critically scarce for us during the winter, and this package specifically includes 40 missiles for the IRIS-T air defense systems.”
"Of course, one of the most difficult challenges is the situation in the energy sector after Russian strikes, and Spain is ready to help us. I am grateful for the EUR 8 million economic package, particularly for the energy sector," Zelenskiy went on saying. Reminding that Spain would allocate more than EUR 200 million under the SAFE program for joint defense efforts, Zelenskiy stated “this is very tangible and very important for the future. It is the right example for other European states.”
