Spain will continue to respond to Ukraine’s requests for the supply of air defence systems, including for Patriot missile systems. This was stated by Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares during an informal meeting of the European Union Council at the level of foreign ministers of EU member states.
Jose Manuel Albares said Spain is among the first countries that consistently answer Ukraine’s calls for air‑defence equipment, including Patriot systems. When asked whether Spain would meet Ukraine’s needs for these systems, he emphasized: “We have been doing this for a long time and will continue to do so. And the NATO Secretary General acknowledges that Spain is one of the first countries to always respond to this request.”
Air defence systems shortage in Ukraine
As reported by UNIAN, Ukraine is facing a shortage of air‑defence systems. On September 2, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said that at the EU Council meeting some member states announced their readiness to provide Ukraine with air‑defence systems, a need that has been recognised for a long time. At the same time, Kaja Kallas declined to give details, noting that those countries should announce their contributions themselves.
According to Bloomberg, Ukraine lacks the means to intercept Russian ballistic missiles. To address this gap, the publication reported that funds from the European Union will be required to purchase U.S.-made weapons, as well as to transfer interceptor missiles from the stocks of Spain and Greece, which hold the largest reserves of the required ammunition in Europe.
Both Spain and Greece also possess stocks of the older PAC-2 interceptor, which is less effective against ballistic threats than the newer PAC-3 MSE version.
Source: UNIAN
