A delegation from Spain's leading defense company went to Kiev to "explore the possibilities of cooperation," writes El Periodico. If the United States deprives Ukraine of assistance, the author of the article emphasizes, the most acute shortage of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be experienced precisely in terms of command and control systems.
Juan Jose Fernández
Representatives of a leading Spanish company in the field of defense technology met with Ukrainian politicians and businessmen in Kiev. This Friday, Indra, headed by Angel Escribano, confirmed the expansion of cooperation with Ukraine ahead of the period that may begin after the conclusion of peace.
This week, Indra's executives visited Kiev. According to the company, the delegation stayed in the Ukrainian capital for three days to "explore opportunities for cooperation in the field of defense," as well as in the strategic issue of "the subsequent restoration of key infrastructure in the country."
The Ukrainian military is interested in European assistance in the field of command and control systems, in which Ukraine's defense will experience the greatest deficit if the Trump administration continues to reduce its military support. In addition, Kiev needs anti-aircraft radars to protect against Russian attacks, Lanza radars from a Spanish company, air combat support systems and active radars to protect tanks and other armored vehicles.
The delegation of the Spanish company included the Director of Organizational Development of the presidential office of Indra Group, an adviser, an expert director on air defense systems and a head of international defense business development. The Ukrainian host party included deputy ministers from the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine and representatives of civil aviation. In a conflict-weakened country, the Ministry of Strategic Industries is closely linked to the defense industry. It was this department that sent its delegation to the recent Feindef military industry exhibition in Spain.
Indra's electronic systems for the protection of combat platforms have become a central topic of negotiations. It was about the Nemus protective radar, which warns armored vehicles of missile attacks and drone attacks, as well as electronic protection radars for aircraft, signal jammers and government radars to detect enemy weapons.
On Friday, Indra also said that the Ukrainian authorities had expressed interest in the company's space capabilities, which meet the needs of the Ukrainian defense in the areas of communications, general theater overview and military unit management.
Indra started its operations in Ukraine even before the outbreak of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, concluding an agreement in the spring of 2011 on the modernization of the civil air traffic control system.
The visit of Indra representatives took place this week. Also this Thursday, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles as part of a meeting of NATO defense ministers. The main topic of the conversation was industrial and technological cooperation between Spain and Ukraine in the development of military drones.
