Ukraine effect: Spain creates a strategic reserve of ammunition

The Spanish Ministry of Defense will purchase ammunition for frigates, fighters and other systems, costing almost 500 million euros.

A strategic ammunition reserve will also be established.

The war in Ukraine makes European countries reconsider their defense policy. Spain is one of the best examples of strengthening its own defensive capabilities, according to an article by Infodefensa published in the La Razón newspaper.

The Spanish government has given the green light to four contracts with an estimated budget of nearly €500 million to upgrade its arsenal of guided missiles and bombs.

In addition, the Ministry of Defense is completing the creation of a strategic reserve of small arms ammunition, 5.56 mm rounds for rifles and light machine guns. It is also a priority to purchase all types of ammunition, from howitzer shells to mortar shells, including ammunition for ship guns.

The approved contracts are aimed at updating the weapons of combat aircraft, frigates, as well as air defense systems of the Armed Forces.

Infodefensa notes that a full-scale invasion of Ukraine has changed the order of priorities in the field of defense. The transfer of weapons and ammunition to help Ukraine fight the Russian occupation forces has led to a reduction in supplies, especially in Spain.

The Spanish Ministry of Defense will purchase 92 AIM-120-C7 AMRAAM air-to-air class missiles from the American manufacturer Raytheon for 200 million.

Of these, 35 units will be designed to equip F-18 and Eurofighter fighters, another 35 for the NASAMS air defense system. The remaining missiles are for AV8B Harrier multipurpose attack aircraft. Four more will be in AAVI (Air Vehicle Instrumented) versions.

A second contract worth 125 million will allow the purchase of Norwegian NSM (Naval Strike Missile) anti-ship missiles to arm future F-110 and current F-100 frigates. This missile will replace the Harpoon AShMs. The contract includes the first batch of missiles, as well as industrial cooperation with several Spanish companies and the Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace (KDA) Norwegian manufacturer of these missiles.

Spain’s defence ministry will also acquire the Brimstone air-to-surface missile from the MBDA consortium. The contract amount is estimated at 43 million euros. The missiles will be integrated with the Eurofighter combat aircraft, which will significantly increase the ability of this combat aircraft to destroy ground targets.

104 million will go towards the purchase of ammunition and precision weapons.