Significant Military Exports from Spain to Morocco
In the first five months of 2026, Spain has exported more than four tons of military-grade ammunition to Morocco. The most substantial operation took place in February when Madrid shipped approximately 4,315 kilograms of military equipment valued at 1.29 million euros. This shipment, dispatched from the province of Zaragoza, included various types of ordnance such as bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles, and other projectiles specifically designed for military purposes. Overall, Spanish exports categorized under Chapter 93, which encompasses arms and ammunition, reached a total of 2.55 million euros to Morocco between January and May 2026, according to calculations from The Objective based on data from the Spanish Tax Agency.
This sum notably comprises 914,976 euros worth of shotgun cartridges, along with 285,998 euros of other munitions and projectiles. Additionally, the exports included 54,744 euros of various air, gas, or similar weapons and 4,589 euros in cartridge parts and associated products. Between June 2025 and May 2026, Spanish arms and ammunition exports to Morocco amounted to 4.89 million euros, highlighting the growing military cooperation between the two nations.
Military Cooperation and Recent Developments
The media outlet also reported that among the exports were 1.73 million euros worth of rocket launchers, grenade launchers, torpedo tubes, and similar systems exported in August 2025, in addition to the previously mentioned exports. Furthermore, 3.43 million euros worth of combat vehicles and their components were exported, categorized as specifically military items, with the majority of these operations recorded between October 2025 and February 2026, peaking in December.
In a separate but related development, the Spanish government authorized the export of eight C295 military aircraft to Algeria, valued at 385.2 million euros, on January 30, 2025. Two export licenses granted to Algeria in the first half of 2025 totaled 393.2 million euros, mainly attributed to this aircraft order. However, it is crucial to note that obtaining an export license does not necessarily mean the equipment has been delivered or that the amount has been recorded as an actual export. The Objective emphasized the distinction between licenses granted by authorities and operations successfully registered by customs.
The customs data available for January to May 2026 also revealed 2.29 million euros in exports of aircraft and components to Algeria, with approximately 2.26 million euros originating from Seville. However, there is no evidence to indicate that these operations are connected to the C295 contract.
These developments unfold against the backdrop of a renewed effort for cooperation between Madrid and Algiers, which has been ongoing since 2025 after several years of strained relations. On July 20, 2026, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited Algiers for an official trip aimed at revitalizing political and economic relations between the two nations. During this visit, Madrid and Algiers announced the reactivation of cooperation mechanisms and preparations for the first high-level meeting between the two countries in eight years, scheduled for October. This renewed engagement comes in the wake of a diplomatic crisis that erupted in 2022, following a shift in the Spanish government's stance on Western Sahara and its support for Morocco's autonomy plan. Furthermore, several Spanish media outlets have recently linked the deteriorating migratory situation in Ceuta to Sánchez's visit to Algeria, suggesting that tensions with Morocco may be a response from Rabat to the evolving Spanish-Algerian relations.
As reported by maghrebemergent.news.
