The warship sent by Spain to protect the “Global Sumud Flotilla” heading to Gaza is kitted out with Israeli weapons.
The Furor is said to be "equipped with all necessary means", has a 76mm Oto Melara cannon and two MK-38 25mm automatic machine guns, all developed by Israel's Rafael defence group.
Rafael is state-owned and is the company that made Israel's renowned Iron Dome. The weapons on board the Spanish warship were built in partnership with the UK's defence manufacturer BAE Systems.
Sánchez has remained committed, since October 7, to stop its arms trade with the Jewish state and reduce the country's dependence on Israeli weapon imports.
After the outbreak of Israel's war against Hamas, the Spanish government announced: “Since October 7, 2023, Spain has neither purchased nor sold weapons to Israeli companies. Nor will it do so in the future.”
And Sánchez told Spanish radio network La Cadena SER: “From the first day of the war, we stopped selling arms to Israel.”
Israeli news outlet Calcalist also reported that Spain's defence ministry had recently cancelled contracts with Rafael, including a £150 million deal for fighter jet targeting pods (to aim airstrikes) as well as a nearly-£200 million deal for missiles.
A half-billion-pound deal for rocket launchers from Israeli defence company Elbit Systems has also been scrapped by Spain.
Spain sent the Furor to assist the Global Sumud Flotilla after its crew claimed to have been “attacked” by drones and radio-jamming signals.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said shortly after the incident: “A maritime action vessel equipped with all necessary means will set sail from Cartagena in case it is necessary to assist the flotilla and carry out any rescue.”
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