Spain cancels $325m arms contract with Israeli company Rafael

The Spanish Defense Ministry froze a major arms contract with the Israeli company Rafael, according to an article published Tuesday in the Spanish daily El País.

The agreement, valued at around one billion shekels, or approximately $325 million, which involved the purchase of missile launchers and rockets, was made four days before Oct. 7, 2023, according to the news outlet. It was suspended due to increasing pressures demanding the cessation of arms purchases from Israel.

In April, Spain canceled a much smaller contract with another Israeli company, following pressure from government ministers. This contract, valued at €6.6 million, involved the delivery of 20.8 million 9 mm bullets manufactured by IMI Systems – a subsidiary of Elbit Systems – for the Spanish Civil Guard, up to 2026.

Political and civic pressures to cancel arms contracts with Israel are based on criticisms targeting the Spanish government, accused of not honoring its declared commitment to suspend arms trade with Israeli companies after the war in Gaza began. In reality, documents show that since that date, Spain has signed arms contracts with Israel exceeding €1 billion.

The company that won the annulled ammunition tender, Guardian Defense & Homeland Security SA, is owned by the Israeli company Guardian, which represents Elbit and other Israeli defense companies in Spain and Portugal – including Meprolight, as well as arms manufacturers EMTAN and FAB Defense.

Following the cancellation of this contract, government sources told the British newspaper The Guardian that the Spanish government remains committed to the Palestinian cause and peace in the Middle East. They added that Spain decided to stop all arms shipments from Israel that have yet to be delivered, including those under contracts signed before the conflict began.