Spain has sold nearly €50 million worth of non-lethal arms to Israel between January 2023 and June 2024, according to reports from the government.

The Spanish government stated that much of this material, which cannot be used offensively against Gaza or for internal repression, was ultimately destined for the Philippines rather than Israel.

Following the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza, Spain has not authorized any new definitive export operations of defense materials to Israel.

The reports submitted to Congress by the Secretary of State for Commerce signify the first official data on Spanish arms exports since the escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

Previous statistics released in December 2022 only covered the first half of that year, prior to the Hamas attacks.

The official documentation indicates that Spain authorized arms sales to Israel totalling €44.7 million and exported €47.9 million in 2023. The largest portion, approximately €42.7 million, referred to the sale of 18 armored vehicles intended for the Philippine Army, assembled in Israel.

Between January 1 and October 7, 2023, Spain also authorized the sale of non-lethal equipment such as image sensors and remote control systems amounting to €4.7 million.

Despite the government’s repeated affirmations of not approving any definitive arms exports to Israel post-October 7, questions remained regarding how much previously authorized material had been delivered afterward.

The comparison of export statistics from the first half of 2023 with the full-year data revealed that most permits were granted in the initial half-year, while nearly all deliveries took place in the latter half, with over 90% related to the aforementioned 18 armored vehicles.

In the first half of 2024, during escalating bombings in Gaza, only one export operation of arms to Israel was authorized, valued at zero euros.

However, deliveries during this period amounted to €1,255,384, approved before October 7, consisting of fire control systems, vehicle parts, and aircraft components.

This includes military equipment sent temporarily to Israel for repair and maintenance, which is to be returned for use by the Spanish Ministry of Defense.

Additionally, Spain authorized 796 transits of defense material without denying any, although specific destinations were not disclosed.

In contrast, the first half of 2024 does not mention any such transits.

Sources clarified that this data would be covered in the annual report as no defense material transits to Israel had been authorized during this period.

In a separate context, the Spanish government has declared an arms transfer to Israel in the United Nations registry under the 'missiles' category, characterizing it as a return of material linked to a strategic ministry program.

Concurrently, the conflict in Ukraine has prompted significant arms transactions; in 2023, Spain authorized armament sales to Ukraine worth €318.6 million, with supplies totaling €153.8 million, accounting for 4.1% of all Spanish military exports.

A notable portion of these exports included artillery shells and mortars to support the ongoing conflict since the Russian invasion began in March 2022.

In the first half of 2024, sales to Ukraine reached €270.7 million, while deliveries amounted to €130 million.

The supply of munitions notably accelerated, comprising 80,920 artillery shells and various other ordnance.

Approximately 48% of the total military ammunition exported by Spain in 2023 was directed to Ukraine.

This trend has expanded Spain's presence in markets previously less accessible, such as Eastern Europe, with countries like Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland emerging as key clients.

In 2023, Slovakia purchased €57.6 million worth of arms, while Poland and Romania also engaged in significant transactions.

Despite these engagements, the overall value of Spain’s defense exports fell by 8% in 2023, totaling €3.764 billion.

However, the preliminary figures for the first half of 2024 show exports nearing €2 billion, marking a 12.7% increase from the same period in 2023, suggesting a potential rebound in sales.

In 2023, 61% of Spain's arms exports were directed toward NATO and EU countries, with Saudi Arabia being a notable recipient, receiving €562 million for naval and aerial equipment.

This trajectory appears set to continue, with arms sales to Saudi Arabia in the first half of 2024 reaching €50.1 million.

Meanwhile, Spain's arms exports have diversified, with new markets opening in Asia and the Middle East, fostering a growing defense industry amid ongoing global conflicts.