Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced new military technology partnerships with the Spanish engineering and technology group Sener Aerospace & Defence during his tour of Spain.
In a statement on Wednesday, March 18, Zelenskyy said the agreements will establish cooperation in the missile and air defense sectors.
“This is what will strengthen the protection of Ukraine’s skies,” read part of Zelenskyy’s statement.
During his meeting with Sener’s leadership, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian manufacturers signed four cooperation agreements, three of which are specifically with Sener.
Zelenskyy Signs Key Deals with Spain
The deals focus on missile development, air defence systems, and long-range drone production, marking a significant step in fortifying Ukraine’s military capabilities.
“We discussed production capabilities and bolstering Ukraine’s air defence. Strengthening air defence and protecting lives are our top priorities,” he said.
“We are also interested in joint projects in the field of long-range drone production. Ukraine has new developments and is ready to scale them up. We expect that all agreements between Ukrainian and Spanish manufacturers will be implemented as soon as possible.”
Sener Aerospace & Defense is a division of the Spanish Sener engineering group, specializing in the production of systems and components for satellites, communications, missile guidance, and other technologies.
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Spain, a NATO and EU member, has provided military, financial, and other support to Kyiv since the outbreak of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, including Leopard 2A4 tanks and training for Ukrainian soldiers.
Zelenskyy visited Spain a day after traveling to the U.K., where he met King Charles III, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, and signed a defense agreement with London.
This is Zelenskyy’s fourth visit to Madrid since the war began over four years ago.
Last week, Zelenskyy met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and the Romanian leadership in Bucharest, as he sought to bolster European support amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.
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Spain Pledges $710 Million in Military Aid to Ukraine
In November last year, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that his government would provide Ukraine with a fresh military aid package worth €615 million ($710 million) to support its fight against Russia’s invasion.
Speaking at a Madrid press conference alongside visiting Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sanchez said around €300 million of the package would be allocated to “new defence equipment”.
“Your fight is ours,” Sanchez said then, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “neo-imperialism” seeks to “weaken the European project and everything it stands for”.
The package also designates €215 million to fund the production of anti-drone systems, surveillance radars, and aerial reconnaissance equipment, much of which will be developed by Spanish companies.
A day earlier, Zelenskyy had signed an accord in Paris with France for up to 100 Rafale fighter jets and other military hardware, including drones.
