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​Spain to Send Not Only M113 APC, But Also Battery of Aspide SAM for Ukraine’s Armed Forces

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Missile launch from the Spanish Aspide medium range SAM, also known as Toledo / Illustrative photo from open sources
Missile launch from the Spanish Aspide medium range SAM, also known as Toledo / Illustrative photo from open sources

Spain announced it will send more military aid to Ukraine to support its fight against Russian forces on Wednesday. Aid package to include armored vehicles, air defense missiles, ammunition, military uniforms

Spanish Ministry of Defense announced the sending of additional military aid to Ukraine on August 24, Spanish El Pais reports.

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles during a visit to the 35th Air Force Wing at Getafe Air Base (Madrid) on Tuesday, Defense Express
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles during a visit to the 35th Air Force Wing at Getafe Air Base (Madrid) on Tuesday / Photo credit: Alejandro Martínez Vélez - EUROP (EUROPA PRESS)

"This is a firm commitment that has been developing since the beginning of this war. All this time, our country did not stop sending materials for the legal protection of the Ukrainian people," the Ministry of Defense of Spain stated in a statement.

Read more: Spain Is Ready to Supply Ukraine With Leopard 2 A4 Tanks
Spanish Army M113, illustrative photo from open sources, Defense Express
Spanish Army M113, illustrative photo from open sources / Illustrative photo from open sources

This package of military aid included around 20 armored vehicles, 75 pallets of field artillery ammunition and a full anti-aircraft defense battery, as well as 1 000 tons of diesel fuel worth approximately €2.5 million. Both armored vehicles and ammunition have already been placed at the disposal of the Ukrainian authorities.

Spanish Aspide medium range SAM, Defense Express
Spanish Aspide medium range SAM / Illustrative photo from open sources

In addition to weapons, they want to send 30 000 units of winter military uniforms, 15 600 jackets, 15 000 suits and several thousand units of additional clothing to Ukraine. Shipment is scheduled for September.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Spain Serhiy Pogoreltsev, however, noted that Ukraine is most interested in the supply of 155 mm howitzers and 122 mm mortars. He has already informed the Spanish government about this. "The process is not easy, but we are working and we are very grateful," the ambassador stated.

M109A5 self-propelled howitzer of the Spanish army during NATO exercises in Latvia, Defense Express
M109A5 self-propelled howitzer of the Spanish army during NATO exercises in Latvia, May 2022 / Illustrative photo from open sources

As Defense Express reported that Spain to send M113 vehicles to Ukraine instead of derelict Leopard tanks.

Read more: Became Known what Spain Will Sent to Ukraine Instead of Leopard MBT