The European aerospace giant found itself at the center of a high-profile story when the Spanish government unexpectedly made an exception to the strict embargo on military cooperation with Israel. The situation was clear-cut: either Airbus continued assembling key military aircraft in Spain, or production—and thousands of jobs—would be relocated abroad. The decision was made at the highest level and sparked heated debate in political circles.
In September last year, Spain enforced a total ban on arms and military technology trade with Israel. This move was a response to developments in Gaza, earning approval from parts of society, but putting at risk a number of defense programs involving Airbus. The company warned that without access to Israeli components, completing aircraft assembly would be impossible, threatening not only contracts worth billions of euros but also thousands of jobs in cities like Sevilla and Madrid.
Pressure and compromise
Spain’s Ministry of Defense was initially strongly opposed to any exemptions from the embargo. However, after consultations with other departments and an analysis of the impact on the country’s economy and technological independence, the issue was brought before the Council of Ministers. Ultimately, just before Christmas, a decision was made to allow Airbus to import certain Israeli systems for four key programs: the A400M transport plane, A330 MRTT tanker, C295 patrol aircraft, and SIRTAP tactical drone.
Special importance was given to missile defense systems and modern radars produced by Israeli companies Elbit Systems and Elta System (IAI). For example, the DIRCM system, capable of automatically detecting and neutralizing missile threats, has already been purchased for aircraft destined for the air forces of Germany and Canada, as well as for NATO’s fleet. Without these components, Airbus would not be able to fulfill its obligations to customers, and aircraft assembly in Spain would be impossible.
Risks for the Economy
If imports of Israeli components were halted, final assembly of aircraft and drones could be relocated to other European plants. This would mean the loss of thousands of jobs and weaken Spain’s position as one of the centers of the European defense industry. The government admitted there are currently no alternatives with similar characteristics on the market, and delays in deliveries would jeopardize contracts and result in a loss of trust from international partners.
The official justification for the decision emphasizes that these are projects with high export potential and strategic importance for the country. Losing these programs could deal a serious blow to the economy, technology development, and national security. That is why a special mechanism was triggered, allowing for an exception to the ban on military cooperation with Israel in cases where it is required for state interests.
Parliamentary Oversight
Under current law, the government is required to report to parliament on the reasons and scope of this exemption. A special session is expected to take place in Congress soon, where the details of the deal and the future of the embargo will be discussed. Authorities emphasize that this decision does not mean a complete abandonment of the policy restricting military exports, but is a forced measure to protect national interests.
Meanwhile, industrial circles note that the situation with Airbus has sent an alarming signal to other companies operating in high-tech and defense sectors. The issue of balancing ethical principles with economic interests has once again become the focus of public debate.
