The government closes 2025 by launching a new message of commitment to NATO and EU security. On December 23, the Council of Ministers approved an investment of more than 2 billion euros in military spending without giving it the slightest publicity, so as not to embarrass the minority partner of the coalition more than necessary and not to aggravate tensions with the majority of groups in the investiture bloc on an issue, that of taste in defense matters, which is very sensitive for the left. This multi-million dollar project will be used for the acquisition of tactical transport vehicles, the logistical improvement of the arsenals and the naval base of Rota (Cádiz), the S-80 series submarine program, the development in the province of Zamora of one of the main barracks of the army and assistance in the defense of Ukraine.
NATO, with which Pedro Sánchez found it difficult to refuse, unlike the rest of the allies, to increase military spending to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2035 as demanded by US President Donald Trump, calculated in August that Spain was already allocating the 2% promised by the President of the Government. And that it would achieve it during the last quarter of the year, which required an investment of 10.471 million, to reach a total of 33.123 million. On Christmas Eve, the Executive approved 1.9 billion for Defense and a voluntary contribution of 100 million to NATO to strengthen kyiv’s “defensive capabilities”. Sánchez announced in November, during a joint appearance with Volodimir Zelenski in La Moncloa, that Spain would allocate $817 million to support Ukraine, including $100 million for the “urgent and accelerated” purchase of American weapons, mainly anti-aircraft missiles to protect energy infrastructure from Russian bombing, through NATO.
“Spain is a reliable partner and one of the countries that most respects the framework of the Atlantic Alliance. When we came to power, our armed forces lacked practically everything, investment in Defense represented 0.9% of GDP. We have made efforts to fulfill the commitments made in Wales (in 2014). Defense, underlined this Monday in The hour of 1 from TVE.
More than half of the approved $2,001.2 million in military spending corresponds to the acquisition of medium and heavy tactical transport trucks. The value of the framework agreement amounts to 1,041 million and will last four years, with the possibility of extending for two years. The objective is to “complete and improve” the coverage with this type of vehicles and the renewal of the fleet so that the Armed Forces are able to operate “in all types of environments and to integrate into multinational structures to ensure the protection of the population and the control of territory and resources”, according to the reference of the last Council of Ministers of the year.
The second most important item is the change in the execution order for the construction of four S-80 series submarines. The estimated value is 432 million and the government says it is necessary to achieve an “adequate configuration” of the submersibles, acquire spare parts and tackle the management of “obsolescence detected in the various systems and installations” of the ships. A design error, which resulted in a 125-ton excess weight that threatened buoyancy, and Navantia’s initial separation from France’s DCNS, led to delays and cost overruns worth millions of dollars for a program that has so far cost nearly €4 billion in total. It is expected that the latest generation tubes, with which Spain will obtain “its strategic independence” according to Defense, will be delivered in 2026, 2028 and 2030.
Cybersecurity costs another 353.5 million. The framework agreement for the comprehensive protection of the global defense information infrastructure approved by the government consists of consolidating the security of information and communication systems and technologies, “by strengthening prevention, detection and response capabilities” to cyberattacks. The investment meets the requirements of the National Cybersecurity Strategy and international organizations of which Spain is part. The duration of the contract is three years from June 2026 or from the date of its formalization, renewable for an additional year.
Building new fuel tanks and pipelines at the Rota naval base – where the United States has five anti-missile destroyers critical to Europe’s defense against the Russian threat – will cost €32.4 million and take 20 months. The Government justifies the execution of this project by criteria of “public interest, national defense and energy sovereignty” in order to “guarantee the operability” of the new class of F-110 frigates and to provide the entire Navy with “a robust and secure national strategic fuel supply system”. In September, the first F110-class combat frigate was launched, of the five that Navantia must deliver to the Spanish Navy until 2030.
Technical assistance for the management of logistical support in the supply of the Navy’s arsenals and in the General Services Headquarters (Madrid), a two-year contract renewable for two more for an amount of 28.5 million, aims to provide the naval force with an external specialized technical support service which “complements its own capabilities”, makes it possible to maintain the continuity of logistical operations and “ensures the quality and reliability of the information managed”, according to information provided by the government.
The second phase of the urbanization works of the future Monte la Reina barracks, in Toro (Zamora), endowed with 13.9 million, is a nod to the Spain emptiedsince this project aims to establish population in one of the provinces hardest hit by the loss of inhabitants. The future barracks, which will accommodate some 1,400 soldiers, should be operational in 2027. The project provides for the construction of the internal road network and esplanades, with sidewalks, pavements and drainage, as well as the execution of connections to the sanitation and rainwater drainage networks for the controlled evacuation of water. It also includes the drinking water supply, electricity, exterior lighting and telecommunications networks, as well as various complementary factory works such as walls, curbs, gutters and manholes as well as a fire-fighting network.
About The Author
