Spain’s Defense Ministry has suspended the license of an Israeli company planning to manufacture missiles in Spain.

The missiles were intended to equip the Spanish army and Marine Corps units, local media reported on Tuesday.

Pap Tecnos is the Spanish subsidiary of the Israeli firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and had been awarded a €285-million contract to develop 168 firing points and 1,680 Spike LR2 anti-tank missiles.

Last Friday, Spanish Secretary of State for Defense Amparo Valcarce stated that the government was working on “disengagement plans” to avoid depending on Israel “in any way.”

Spain's soured relations with Israel

The original contract was issued to Pap Tecnos on October 3, 2023 – days before Hamas’s invasion kickstarted a war that has soured Spanish-Israeli relations. Spain is one of several countries that joined South Africa’s International Court of Justice case against Israel, alleging genocide in the war against Hamas.
Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles speaks during the La Toja Forum on global challenges in Lisbon, Portugal, April 1, 2025. (credit: PEDRO NUNES/REUTERS)
Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles speaks during the La Toja Forum on global challenges in Lisbon, Portugal, April 1, 2025. (credit: PEDRO NUNES/REUTERS)
The SILAM multiple rocket launcher program is expected to continue, although without technology that would have otherwise been provided by Elbit Systems, according to El Pais. Despite the canceled contracts, Spanish media reported that the fate of Spain’s acquisition of 46 laser designators for €207.1m. from Rafael remains unclear.