Spain reduced arms exports by 9.1% in 2021

Sales to Saudi Arabia reached 109 million in spare parts for aircraft, transport boats and artillery shells

MADRID, 11 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) -

In 2021, the value of exports made by Spain of defense material reached 3,290.2 million euros, 9.1 percent less than the 3,622.4 million euros of the previous year. Half of these exports originated from countries of the European Union and NATO, although there were also million-dollar sales to places such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco or Algeria.

This is stated in the report on the export of defense material and dual use corresponding to the year 2021, which the Secretary of State for Commerce has sent to the Congress of Deputies and to which Europa Press has had access. All these exports pass the filter of the Interministerial Board for Trade and Control of Defense Material and Dual Use Technologies (JIMDDU) and the different international regulations, according to the report.

Spanish arms exports to neighboring countries were distributed mainly between France (654.3 million), Germany (432.6 million) and the Netherlands (407.6 million), concentrated in transfers of products, equipment and technology within the programs existing cooperation in the field of defence.

But in addition, Spanish companies sold weapons worth 109.1 million euros to Saudi Arabia, involved in the war in Yemen. They were mainly pieces and spare parts for Spanish-made aircraft, equipment, technology, launches for transporting troops, mortar shells and 155 mm artillery shells.

Spain also exported defense material to surrounding countries such as the United Arab Emirates - where 73.7 million were sold in a transport plane, parts and spare parts, combat limpet mines, remote control systems for weapons of various calibers or a mortar 120 mm.--; Qatar (2.4 million) or Kuwait (2.3 million in grenade launchers).

But in addition, during the year 2021 arms exports also reached the countries of North Africa. Morocco received material worth 14.9 million in parts and spare parts for Spanish-made transport planes, mortars with accessories and spare parts, and 91 transport vehicles (11.7 million euros).

For its part, exports to Algeria amounted to 7.2 million in parts and spare parts for transport aircraft, anti-mine protection sets for military vehicles and remote control systems for 12.7 mm weapons.