Spanish-built combat vehicles for Latvia to carry Israeli turrets despite arms embargo

What Happened

Spanish manufacturer GDELS-SBS has begun delivering Mednieks infantry fighting vehicles to Latvia that are fitted with Israeli Elbit Systems UT30 MK2 unmanned turret systems, despite Spain's declared arms embargo on Israel, according to Israeli business daily Globes. Latvia ordered 84 vehicles in a deal worth around €800m ($929m), with all vehicles due to be delivered by 2029. Latvia's Defence Minister Raivis Melnis called the delivery "a significant step toward strengthening Latvia's defence capabilities" and said the Mednieks would promote cooperation with NATO allies. Elbit Systems signed a contract worth approximately $100m in April 2025 to supply the turret systems to GDELS-SBS for installation on Ascod armoured fighting vehicles supplied to a NATO European country. The Spanish government under Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared a wide-ranging arms embargo on Israel more than a year ago, banning imports and exports of military equipment and technology, and terminated three major arms deals with Israeli companies. However, the delivery involves Spanish-built platforms carrying Israeli components, and Spanish authorities had said in February they were working toward "zero technological dependence" on Israel.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The delivery illustrates how national arms embargoes can be bypassed through multinational supply chains: a Spanish company exports to a NATO ally while Israeli weapons technology is embedded in the platform. It also underscores the tension between Spain's critical stance toward Israel's war in Gaza and its defence industry's commercial ties to Israeli firms, as Israeli defence companies report record revenues. The deal may raise questions about enforcement of Spain's embargo and the role of US-owned General Dynamics in facilitating Israeli defence exports to Europe.

Watch For

Monitor whether the Spanish government opens any review or enforcement action over GDELS-SBS's delivery to Latvia, and whether further vehicles are delivered on schedule through 2029. Also watch for any statements from Madrid on the "zero technological dependence" policy, possible new contracts between Elbit and European NATO members, and any diplomatic reaction from Israel or Palestinian authorities to the deliveries.