Spain has cancelled a contract worth nearly €700 million for Israeli rocket launchers, formalizing the decision on its official public contracts platform on September 9, according to documents reviewed by AFP.
The contract involved 12 SILAM rocket launcher systems, based on the PULS platform developed by Israel’s Elbit Systems, and was awarded to a consortium of Spanish companies, the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Military Balance reported. The move follows Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s announcement that his government would legislate a ban on arms trade with Israel over its military operations in Gaza. Local media and Israel’s Haaretz newspaper first reported the cancellation, which is part of a broader policy shift. On September 10, Sanchez outlined measures his government said were aimed at halting the genocide in Gaza, including a decree banning the sale or purchase of military equipment involving Israel. Another contract for 168 anti-tank missile launchers, valued at €287 million and licensed from an Israeli company, has also been cancelled. First reported in June, the cancellation was confirmed by Spanish daily La Vanguardia, which noted that Madrid is conducting a wider review intended to remove Israeli weapons and technology from Spain’s armed forces.On Monday, Sanchez also urged Israel’s exclusion from international sports competitions. He expressed support for protesters who disrupted the final stage of the Vuelta a España cycling race in Madrid, calling for stronger action against Israel.
“Our position is clear and categorical: as long as the barbarity continues, neither Russia nor Israel should participate in any international competition,” Sanchez said.
Israel, which fielded a cycling team in the Vuelta, denounced the remarks, while Spanish opposition parties also criticized the government. The comparison to Russia’s exclusion from sports after its invasion of Ukraine has further heightened diplomatic tensions.
Relations between Spain and Israel have been deteriorating since Madrid recognized the state of Palestine in 2024. Israel has not had an ambassador in Spain since that decision, and Spain recently recalled its own envoy from Tel Aviv after exchanges over Sanchez’s measures.
In April, the Barcelona-based Delas Centre estimated that Spain had awarded 46 contracts worth about $1.04 billion to Israeli firms since the beginning of the Gaza war, based on public tender data.