Spain strengthens its support for Ukraine with new donation of M113 APC.

Spain has announced the imminent donation of M113 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, including two converted into ambulances, marking a new step in the country's security commitment to Ukraine. This announcement was made by the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, during her participation via videoconference in a new meeting of the Defense Ministers of the Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine, held on February 14, 2024.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Spain has announced the imminent donation of M113 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. (Picture source: Spanish MoD)

The meeting, which is the nineteenth of the so-called 'Ramstein format' and convened by the United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, saw the participation of the Ukrainian Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov. The occasion allowed for the reinforcement of the message of unity of allies and partners after two years of uninterrupted shipments of military material and various equipment, as well as the provision of training and other forms of support.

Margarita Robles highlighted Spain's commitment to six Capability Coalitions, emphasizing the importance of these coalitions in providing long-term support to Ukraine and facilitating full interoperability of Ukrainian forces with allies and partners.

The donation includes the shipment of several M113 vehicles, without specifying the exact number. The M113 is an armored personnel carrier known for its versatility and ability to be equipped with a variety of armaments and equipment according to the specific needs of the users. In standard configuration, it is often armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun, although its armament can be adapted with a wide range of options depending on the mission. The vehicle can transport a crew of two people, in addition to accommodating up to 11 equipped soldiers, thus offering significant transport capacity for military operations.

With armor capable of withstanding impacts up to 40 mm, the M113 combines protection and mobility. It has a weight of 11,253 kg, is capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 km/h, and has a range of 480 km. It is used by a multitude of countries, including but not limited to Argentina, Germany, Australia, Belgium, and the United States, thus covering a wide range of climates and terrains, from the deserts of North Africa to the forests of Europe. It should be noted that Spain had already delivered 60 M113s to Ukraine.

In addition to the M113s, Spain plans to send several vehicles for firefighting, snow removal, and personnel transport, as well as various materials including two light boats, an electric generator, and a water purification plant.

The Minister also mentioned the shipment of armaments for anti-aircraft defense, air operations, and naval operations. Furthermore, Robles highlighted the ongoing training of Ukrainian forces in Spain, which is progressing at a very good pace. This high-quality training includes the management of Patriot, NASAMS, and Hawk systems, as well as the planning and execution of underwater demining.

The Minister of Defense concluded her speech by highlighting the unity and determination of this Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine, affirming that "Spain will continue to contribute as long as necessary." This donation is part of a broader aid that demonstrates international solidarity towards Ukraine in the face of current security challenges.