In a significant revelation regarding military alliances and dependencies, Spain is coming to terms with the consequences of its military rupture with Israel, as highlighted by a senior defense official. This acknowledgment comes amidst the escalating military engagements of Morocco with both the United States and Israel. On Tuesday, October 20, Lieutenant General Miguel Ivorra confirmed during a presentation at the Nueva Economía Fórum in Madrid that Morocco is increasing its procurement of military equipment from American and Israeli sources, as reported by Europa Press.
Morocco has notably acquired a range of military assets, including drones, air defense systems, and rocket launchers from Israeli manufacturers. This cooperation is set to evolve into a new industrial phase, with plans for a subsidiary of Israeli company Elbit Systems to deliver the first combat turrets manufactured in Morocco by March 2027. These turrets are intended to equip the armored vehicles of the Royal Armed Forces of Morocco, underlining the kingdom's commitment to enhancing its military capabilities.
However, General Ivorra emphasized a critical distinction between merely purchasing weapons and mastering the technology behind them. He stated, "One does not achieve autonomy merely by buying products; it requires developing, evolving, and maintaining them." This insight sheds light on the importance of technological independence in military strategy.
Spain Faces Challenges in Replacing Israeli Technology
Across the Strait of Gibraltar, the Spanish lieutenant general made a candid admission regarding Spain's historical reliance on Israeli technology, describing it as "excessive." Following the diplomatic break with Israel that occurred in September 2025 due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the Spanish defense industry is now tasked with the formidable challenge of replacing equipment that had previously been sourced from Israel. General Ivorra acknowledged the complexities involved, stating, "This obviously affects our capabilities, as certain complex systems require time and money to replace." His comments were also reported by The Objective.
In light of these challenges, the Spanish official aims to convert this obstacle into an opportunity for developing national production capabilities. He expressed confidence that Spanish industries possess the necessary skills to gradually replace Israeli technologies. However, another pressing challenge looms for Spain: its technological lag compared to the American defense industry, which General Ivorra described as "immense." To bridge this gap, he advocates for strengthened cooperation among European industries, particularly in the development of new weapon systems, to enhance collective defense capabilities.
As reported by bladi.net.
