Spain Navy to supply light boats to help Ukrainian Armed Forces.

According to information published by the Spanish government on February 14, 2024, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles participated in the latest meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group via videoconference.
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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenski and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. (Picture source: La Moncloa)

This meeting, held under the 'Ramstein format' and convened by the United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, marked its 19th session and was notable for the attendance of Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. During the meeting, the ministers discussed the latest developments in the conflict and delved into strategies for addressing Ukraine's most pressing needs.

Robles also disclosed upcoming shipments to Ukraine, including armored personnel carriers (APCs) M-113, two of which have been converted into ambulances. This will be followed by the delivery of various vehicles including fire-fighting units, snowplows, personnel carriers, and additional materials such as light boats, a power generator, and a water purification plant. Furthermore, the dispatch of various weaponry for anti-aircraft defense, air-to-air, and naval operations was confirmed by Robles.

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Given the context of the Spanish Defense Ministry's involvement and the announcement of delivering various military and logistical equipment to Ukraine, the hypothesis that the light boats being sent could be Zodiac Hurricane RHIBs is plausible and worth exploring. Indeed, the Spanish Navy's Marine Corps has 13 Zodiac Hurricane RHIBs.

Produced by Zodiac Milpro, these boats are designed for a broad range of sea conditions, featuring a variety of lengths to suit different mission requirements and crew sizes. Their design emphasizes stability in rough waters and high-speed maneuverability, critical for quick response and operational agility.

The capacity of Zodiac Hurricane RHIBs to carry significant personnel and equipment lends them utility for a wide array of naval tasks, including patrolling, search and rescue, and specialized operations.

Models such as the ZH-638 IO and ZH-935 MACH II include customizable features for specific missions, along with advanced navigation and communication systems for integrated mission execution.