Developing Technological Defence Sovereignty in Spain and Throughout Europe
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November 10, 2025
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This article was published in El Confidencial in October 2025: https://blogs.elconfidencial.com/mercados/tribuna-mercados/2025-10-25/defensa-industria-europa-espana-1hms_4233659/
Although the EU was conceived as a peace project — based on rejecting the use of violence to resolve conflicts — it has now being obliged to deliver a defence policy in the form of European Defence - Readiness 2030. For too many decades, the Continent has left security and fortification in the hands of the United States. Now that the use of force, namely by Russia, is clearly a more real threat than ever, Europe is trying to rapidly correct its position.
The European Defence – Readiness 2030 roadmap includes four key projects designed to enhance defence capabilities: counter-drone defence, surveillance of the eastern flank, and air and space shields, each led by different member states. The EU will coordinate efforts without creating new military structures with the support of the European Defence Agency, while also stressing the need to “boost the bloc’s military-industrial complex” through “two future initiatives on military mobility and industrial modernization.”
Spain has neither a large military industry nor a social tradition that supports such production — a reality reflected in the government’s refusal to raise defence investment to 5% of GDP, as demanded by NATO. Nevertheless, Spain took some limited steps in August 2025 to increase defence spending, with the Council of Ministers approving over €500 million to strengthen the armed forces.
This includes some €258 million for communication services and infrastructure of the I3D military network, essential to ensure secure and coordinated operations between Spain, NATO, the EU, and other international missions. Nearly €170 million will be invested in ammunition for Army and Navy combat vehicles under contracts lasting up to four years, while approximately €250 million has been authorised for the acquisition of specialized military vehicles, necessary to improve logistics and material transport.
Months have passed since this approval, however, and the funds have yet to be allocated to the companies capable of producing this equipment. The ministries of Industry and Defence are leading this process, but concerns exist that the contracts will end up in the hands of large companies — some with public participation, yet with limited production capacity regarding the required materials. Furthermore, regional governments often are not adhering to the criteria that would normally guide such contract awards.
Meanwhile, certain American companies with a long tradition in the military-industrial sector could be suitable partners. The goal is not to sideline Spanish factories and outsource everything to the US firms, but to reach know-how agreements that benefit both. Spanish government agencies, both national and regional, seek to strengthen and grow Spanish defence companies through the use of cutting-edge technology, yet the requisite knowledge and infrastructure are still lacking in many cases. Partnerships with actors in possession of the relevant skills and frameworks could accelerate this process — an approach that certainly seems more logical and consistent with Spain’s and the EU’s Western tradition compared with recent approaches to China, which have perplexed many in industrial forums.
Spain is not alone in its lack of a strong defence industrial base. Other European countries face similar challenges and are striving to overcome them through greater collaboration with the United States. Moving beyond grandiose political statements, analysing Spain’s situation objectively, and focusing instead on industrial efficiency all seem to be wise and prudent moves. Defence depends largely on sophisticated technology and industry, and this kind of employment is what Spain needs now to modernise its economic fabric.
No one is pleased about the need to invest in weapons, reinforce anti-drone systems, and build air shields — but the truth is, we are forced to seek defensive independence, both as Spaniards and as Europeans, in an organised way. And time is of the essence: we have less than a decade to achieve the goals set out by European Defence – Readiness 2030. Learning from those who have already developed a top-notch defence industry — the U.S. companies that, despite what some say, remain our key allies in this field — promises a faster and more effective process.
Spain should follow the path of other European governments (some of them also social democratic) and embrace pragmatism, given our current shortage of major national players in the field of military defence. This path will bring us closer to France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, which already have major defence companies that provide high-quality employment to millions of Europeans. Europe was founded in pursuit of peace, but now is the time to begin building the technological defence sovereignty it still lacks.
Reprinted with permission from El Confidencial
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Published
November 10, 2025
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