Spain will transfer Patriot missiles to Ukraine, media
Spain will transfer Patriot missiles to Ukraine, despite pressure from NATO and the EU, which require European countries that have this American-made system to transfer them to Kyiv.
According to government sources, the decision to transfer a small number of missiles was announced after the Spanish Ministry of Defence refused to transfer to Ukraine a battery deployed since 2013 on the border between Turkey and Syria.
The Spanish army has three batteries, each with corresponding missile launchers, radar and control station, purchased from Germany in 2004 and 2014. One of these batteries is located in the city of Adana (Turkey), and the other two are located at the Marine Corps base (Valencia), and one of them is used to train Ukrainian and Spanish soldiers in the use of this system.
The Spanish Ministry of Defence has categorically refused to supply the systems to Ukraine, arguing that they are only effective in the event of a missile attack - as demonstrated during the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East - and that the Spanish armed forces are understaffed.
However, the government agreed to provide a shipment of Patriot missiles as compensation, according to people contacted. In any case, it will be a very limited number, since the Spanish military reserve is around 50 units and interceptors are very expensive.
26 April 2024 г., 08:53
