Spain promises again Ukraine armored vehicles already announced more than a month ago

@DefAviation ES 8·24·2022 · 22:06 0

The Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid today complained about the scant military aid offered by the Pedro Sánchez government to Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion.

This is how Sánchez finances Putin's invasion while denying heavy weapons to Ukraine
A report exposes the ridiculous military aid of the Pedro Sánchez government to Ukraine

The complaint from the Ukrainian ambassador in Madrid, Serhii Pohoreltsev, loaded with reason, comes after more than unfulfilled promises of aid by the government of Pedro Sánchez. The ambassador has pointed out that it cannot be said that they are "satisfied" or that they have "everything necessary or what could be capable" of giving them Spain. Let us remember that during his visit to Kiez el On April 21, Pedro Sánchez announced his "full support for Ukraine" and promised "all the help that is in our hands". And as usual, he lied. Spain has not donated a single heavy vehicle to Ukraine and has not sent any military aid to that country since May, despite having material ready to be delivered.

Following complaints from the Ukrainian ambassador, this afternoon the Spanish Ministry of Defense has improvised an announcement to send military aid to that country. According to Abc, the shipment would include 20 Army M-113 armored personal carriers (APC). A ridiculous amount, if we take into account that Spain has 1,250 armored vehicles of this type and the forecast is to withdraw half of them from service in the short term. Let us bear in mind that in May, Portugal, which only has about 200 M-113, announced the shipment of 15 of them to Ukraine.

In addition, the announcement of the shipment of these APC by Spain is not new. this shipment was already announced on July 12, and almost a month and a half later it has still not materialized. The Sánchez government cannot claim that it does not have vehicles, as it did with Leopard 2. If he hasn't sent them yet, it's because he didn't want to. How long does it take, perhaps, to prepare 20 M-113s and send them? Poland has had time to send more than 230 T-72 tanks to Ukraine. And of course, the Sánchez government does not lack vehicles to send: what it lacks is the will to send them, largely to maintain a coalition government with a pro-Russian party such as Podemos, which has systematically opposed to sending any military aid to Ukraine.

Likewise, according to Abc, the Spanish Ministry of Defense has also announced the shipment of a NASAMS surface-to-air missile system. The announcement is very good, but let's remember that in early June, the government already leaked to the newspaper El País the possible shipment of Aspide missiles, and finally that shipment was not taken out.

Likewise, the Spanish government adds that it will send field artillery (unspecified), 1,000 tons of diesel and 60,000 pieces of clothing and equipment for low temperatures, specifically 30,000 special cold field uniforms, 15,600 jackets and 15,000 outdoor suits. In addition, the Ministry of Defense has indicated that it has agreed to collaborate in the training of Ukrainian troops, sending instructors wherever Ukraine requires.

Of course, it is sad that the Spanish government announces this in reaction to Ukraine's complaints, and when it has been reported for months that Spain is one of the NATO members that least military aid has been sent to that country. And at the same time that it hid that aid from the invaded, the Sánchez government increased the purchase of gas from Russia, thus helping to finance the Russian aggression against Ukraine. What is this government playing at?