Spain Pledges €1 Billion in Military Support to Ukraine Including Patriot Missiles and Leopard 2A4 Tanks.

Spain has committed to providing military support to Ukraine worth 1 billion euros ($1.08 billion) this year, following an agreement signed on May 27, 2024, between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid. This substantial pledge, reported by El Pais newspaper, includes various military equipment such as Patriot anti-aircraft missiles and Leopard 2A4 tanks, highlighting Spain's continued support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.
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Spanish army launcher truck of Patriot Air Defense Missile System. (Picture source: Wikimedia)

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Spain has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, delivering a variety of military hardware. Spain has already supplied 10 Leopard 2A4 tanks between April and June 2023. In addition, 60 M113 armored personal carriers were sent before December 2022, and in February, April, and June 2023.

Different types of combat vehicles have also been delivered to Ukraine, including 20 URO VAMTAC armored vehicles and an RG-31 Nyala mine-resistant vehicle configured as an ambulance in April 2022. Eight light military vehicles were sent in October 2022, followed by a pledge for an additional 12 vehicles. Spain also delivered 40 trucks and off-road vehicles in April or May 2022, nine heavy transport trucks in late 2022, 11 vehicles later that year, four or more Land Rover 4x4 SUVs between late 2022 and July 2023, and two Pegaso BMR armored ambulances.

Since the beginning of the war, Spain's total military aid to Ukraine has included various commitments, with the recent pledge bringing the total to approximately 2.3 billion euros. This figure reflects both delivered aid and planned allocations, covering a wide range of military equipment and support measures to bolster Ukraine's defenses​ (Kiel Institute)​​ (Atlantic Council)​​ (CEPR)​​ (Real Instituto Elcano)​.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urgently called for increased air defense support for Ukraine following a significant escalation in Russian aerial attacks. In recent months, Russia has intensified its bombardment, deploying over 3,200 guided aerial bombs, 300 Shahed-type drones, and numerous missiles. These attacks have caused severe damage to Ukraine's infrastructure and inflicted heavy civilian casualties across various regions, including Sumy, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, and Kherson​.

The recent wave of assaults, one of the largest since the full-scale invasion began, involved more than 158 types of weapons targeting civilian areas such as homes, hospitals, and schools. This attack resulted in at least 30 deaths and hundreds of injuries​.

President Zelensky emphasized that the continued onslaught demonstrates the urgent need for additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian cities and civilians. He praised the international community's support so far, highlighting the lifesaving impact of air defense systems provided by allies. However, he stressed that without further aid, Ukraine's ability to defend itself remains compromised​