The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, has made available this Tuesday to the European Union the Spanish capabilities for observation, communications, and space control, while advancing that Spain will assume a more prominent role in the European plan to safeguard submarine cables against sabotage and hybrid threats.
Robles made this offer during the informal meeting of EU Defense Ministers held in Wicklow (Ireland), where she emphasized Spain's potential in the space field and the need to strengthen the role of the EU Satellite Centre (SatCen), based in Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid).
In addition, she expressed Spain's willingness to actively participate in the deployment of the future European satellite communications and secure connectivity system, as detailed by the Ministry of Defense in an official note.
Regarding maritime security, the minister has advanced that Spain will assume "a greater leadership role" in the European initiative to protect submarine cables, providing specialized surveillance centers in order to prevent and respond to possible acts of sabotage and other hybrid threats.
Robles has also reiterated Spain's involvement in the defense of freedom of navigation and its support for international initiatives aimed at strengthening security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Sustained military support for Ukraine
The meeting of the Defense Ministers of the Twenty-Seven has also served to analyze the continuity of military support for Ukraine, in a session in which the new Ukrainian Defense Minister, Yevgeni Khmara, intervened via videoconference.
Robles has positively assessed the implementation of the Support Loan to Ukraine and the European Peace Support Fund, and has reiterated Spain's commitment to Kiev.
In this context, the Defense Minister has highlighted the increase in cooperation between Spanish and Ukrainian companies for the manufacture of drones and air defense interceptors, as well as Spain's participation in the training of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the care of wounded soldiers, and the funding of centers dedicated to the reintegration of veterans.
On the other hand, Robles has reaffirmed Spain's commitment to peace and stability in Lebanon in light of the conclusion of the mandate of the United Nations mission in the country (UNIFIL), a matter that the EU defense ministers have analyzed in view of the possible scenarios after the end of the operation and the preparations for a potential community mission.