Ukrainian military being trained in Spain to operate the Aspide air defense system

In Zaragoza, Spain, the Ukrainian military is undergoing training on the use of the ground-based Aspide anti-aircraft missile system.

Spain’s defence ministry said Defence Minister Margarita Robles attended the exercise.

19 Ukrainian servicemen are honing their skills abroad as part of the commitment of the Spanish Ministry of Defense to provide support to Ukraine.

The drill takes place at a military aviation base in the city of Zaragoza.

This training is divided into two parts: for operators and for service personnel (gunsmiths, mechanics and electronics operators).

“In addition to the training you are taking here, I want to convey to you the support and commitment of all Spain to Ukraine. Your stay here is a way for us to show you our appreciation and admiration. The whole Ukrainian people and you showed that you are brave and heroic,” Robles said.

The country’s defence ministry stated that Spain would support Ukraine until its total victory in the war.

Initially, the training mission was supposed to last three weeks, but then it was prolonged for another seven days. Therefore, the exercises will end on October 14.

Nevertheless, Spain will continue to train Ukrainian defenders and on November 1 they plan to meet new military personnel of the Armed Forces there.

“The Aspide system, which trains the Ukrainian military, and is now used in the Spanish Air Force, will provide the Ukrainian army with combat capability, as well as act as a deterrent,” the Spanish Ministry of Defense said.

Spada Aspide ground-based anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) is also known as Skyguard Aspide. This is a joint Italian-Swiss development.

It was designed in the course of modifying the Aspide missile for its use on land platforms.