Sánchez reiterates Spain's support for Ukraine and calls on the defence sector to play a key role in European Industrial Defence Strategy

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

Family photo of the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles, together with representatives of the companies in the Spanish defence sector (Pool Moncloa/ José Manuel Álvarez)

The meeting was attended by Diego Fernández (Arquimea Group), Ángel Escribano (Escribano Mechanical & Engineering), José Luis Urcelay (Expal/Rheinmetall), Carlos de Cos (Fecsa), Antonio Caro (Fábrica de Municiones de Granada), Juan Antonio Escriña (Gdels Sbs), Miguel Muñoz (Instalaza), Antonio Llamas (Nammo Palencia), Juan Carlos Estrella (NTGS), Luis Furnells (OESIA), Joaquín López (SAES) and Justo Sierra (Urovesa).

Other participants included Gerardo Sánchez (Aesmide), Ricardo Martí (Tedae), Carlos Alzola (ITP Aero), Andrés Sendagorta (Sener), Jokin Aperribay (Sapa), María Eugenia Clemente (Aciturri), Juan Ignacio López (Aernnova), Jesús Serrano (GMV), Santiago Bolibar (Hisdesat Servicios Estratégicos), Marc Murtra and José Vicente de los Mozos (Indra), Ricardo Domínguez (Navantia) and Alberto Gutiérrez (Airbus).

The chief executive thanked the defence industry executives for their commitment in this very complex geopolitical context, in which Spain is working to prepare for possible security threats and to increase the level of strategic autonomy. Spain wants to make the sector a key player in the first European Industrial Defence Strategy presented just a few days ago.

The meeting also addressed issues such as the importance for the sector of increasing investment in productive capacity and R&D, creating jobs and increasing participation and leadership in major European defence programmes.

The president highlighted the value of the Spanish security and defence sector, the fourth largest exporter in Europe and the eighth largest in the world. This industry has more than 400 companies throughout the country, employs more than 36,000 workers directly and generates high technology.

Full support for Ukraine

During the meeting, Pedro Sánchez reiterated the Government of Spain's categorical condemnation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine on the two-year anniversary of the start of the conflict. In this regard, Spain will continue to defend Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Within the framework of the immediate reinforcement of Spain's aid to Ukraine, the Spanish defence industry, characterised by the high qualification of its professionals, its efficiency and its high technological capacity, is key to meeting the urgent needs of the Ukrainian army.

Spain's resolute support for the people and government of Ukraine takes place at all levels, from diplomacy to humanitarian, economic, financial, reconstruction and military support. Spain is currently negotiating a security commitments agreement with Ukraine, as other European countries have already done.

Non official translation