Spain has reportedly cancelled a €697 million ($823 million) contract for the acquisition of the High Mobility Rocket Launcher System (SILAM), developed from Israeli firm Elbit Systems’ Precise and Universal Rocket Launcher (PLUS) design.
Arms Embargo Against Jerusalem
The cancellation notice, issued by Madrid’s procurement agency, does not provide a specific reason for the decision. However, it aligns with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s move to expedite approval of a Royal Decree Law, solidifying an existing arms embargo against Israel. The decision is one of nine actions the Spanish government is taking to „stop the genocide in Gaza, pursue its perpetrators, and support the Palestinian population.”
The forthcoming Decree will establish „a legal and permanent ban on the purchase and sale of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment” to Israel, as announced by the Spanish government.
Replacing Israeli Technology with Spanish Industry
Spanish Minister of Defense Margarita Robles stated that „this technological material, which was being supplied to Spain by Israeli companies, will be replaced by Spanish industry.”
Additional Measures Against Israel
In addition to the arms embargo, Spain has announced a ban on aircraft transiting Spanish airspace to transport defense equipment to Israel, as well as prohibiting ships carrying fuel to the Israeli armed forces from entering Spanish ports.
Israeli Response
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has accused Sánchez of antisemitism and barred two senior Spanish officials from entering Israel in response to these measures.
SILAM Contract Details
The SILAM contract was initially awarded in 2023 to a joint venture between Spanish companies Escribano Mechanical & Engineering and Rheinmetall Expal Munitions, a subsidiary of the German giant. The weapon system was intended to address the „absence of artillery capability that arose a decade ago when the [Spanish Army’s] Teruel system was decommissioned.” Elbit Systems’ PULS, which the SILAM is based on, can fire various types of ammunition to ranges of up to 300km.
Previous Cancellation of Anti-Tank Missile Contract
Earlier this year, Madrid cancelled a €285 million contract for the purchase of 168 launch units and 1,680 Spike LR2 anti-tank missiles produced by Israel’s Rafael.
UN Commission Accusation
A United Nations independent commission has stated that Israel „is responsible for the commission of genocide in Gaza,” an accusation vehemently denied by Jerusalem as it carries out military operations targeting Hamas fighters in Gaza.
