One of the new radars supplied by Indra Company as part of enhanced air and missile defence in Spain
Credit:X:@IndraCompany
Spain is implementing more air and missile defence technology amid escalating threats from Russia including modernized radar systems.
Recent escalating conflict between Russia and Europe is starting to become very real. As countries begin to implement action plans to prepare themselves for the possibility of nuclear war, the proximity of war feels ever closer. Germany and Spain have both brought discussion around bomb shelters back into the pipeline and countries in Scandinavia are issuing war preparation manuals for citizens.
Spain is now implementing its latest preparative measure against war in the light of recent threat from Russia’s launch of a hypersonic missile. It has decided to upgrade its air defence system as confirmed by General Francisco Braco, head of the Spanish Air and Space Force. To do this, the Ministry of Defence has allocated €120 million which will modernise the radar infrastructure to better safeguard Spanish airspace.
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The recent launch of Russia’s hypersonic missile in late November sent shockwaves across Europe. President Vladimir Putin’s is starting to show a leaning towards full-scale nuclear war and many countries are on edge regarding his next move and the extent of Russia’s capacities. Putin stated that the missile, the experimental Oreshnik 9M729, was not intercontinental, yet this did not calm the fear generated in Europe of potential aggression. Tensions are rising, especially due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, which is not condoned by Spain nor most European nations. In fact, Spain has been an avid supporter of Ukraine’s defence – through the provision of humanitarian aid, military equipment and political backing – and this has not been kept quiet. Spain has also been part of a group of other European nations to impose sanctions on Russia and has been active in contributing to NATO’s collective efforts to strengthen regional security. Of course, this level of commitment is now a concern and could backfire on countries like Spain. It underpins recent decisions for the country to up their game with respect to precautionary measures against escalating threats on the other side of the continent.
Spain’s Air and Space Force is now adapting its capacity for air surveillance in order to counteract increasing threats posed by hypersonic and intercontinental missiles. Spain now has five Lanza 3D radars bought from Spanish technology company Indra in 2021 – one of which is already operational – which will replace older models and integrate more efficiently into NATO’s air and missile defence system. Not only this but Spain’s commitment to maintaining national security can also be seen in its mobile radar system, which is currently in development to counteract the challenges posed by drones.
Spain is increasingly feeling more vulnerable as key player, the US has threatened to withdraw from NATO leaving the alliance without its strongest ally. The threat of hypersonic missiles is extremelty concerning, mainly due to their incredible speed – six to ten times faster than the speed of sound – and reduced possibility for detection and interception systems to perceive them in time. This poses massive risk for countries’ defence efforts.