In a clear sign of continued military support for Ukraine, the Spanish Government has approved a €37 million contract to manufacture and deliver a long-range tactical radar — the LTR-25 “Lanza” — to Ukrainian forces. The decision, formalised by the Spanish Council of Ministers, aims to reinforce Ukraine’s air-defence capabilities at a critical moment in the prolonged conflict with Russia.
The approved contract tasks Indra, Spain’s leading defence technology company, with producing and supplying the LTR-25 Lanza radar system, along with associated logistical support, under a mandate that extends through 31 December 2026. The agreement explicitly forms part of Spain’s contribution to the allied effort in support of Ukraine, focusing on strengthening Ukraine’s ability to detect and respond to aerial threats.
The LTR-25 is a tactical 3D air-surveillance radar characterised by advanced electronic processing and active electronic scanning. According to descriptions from Spanish defence sources, it offers significant improvements in detection range, target tracking precision, and resistance to electronic interference. Designed to operate in challenging environments, it is capable of identifying a wide range of aerial threats — from traditional aircraft to drones and tactical missiles — and features identification friend-or-foe (IFF) capabilities alongside high-speed electronic beam steering.
As Ukraine continues to face regular aerial attacks — including missile strikes, drone swarms, and other forms of air assault — systems like the Lanza radar can play a critical role in improving early warning and situational awareness for Ukrainian air-defence networks. Compared to older or legacy radar systems, the LTR-25’s digital processing and narrower beamwidths enhance the detection of low-observable or low-altitude targets, a capability that is increasingly relevant in modern hybrid and electronic warfare scenarios.
Another practical advantage of the Lanza system is its mobility and transportability. The radar can be deployed by road, rail, sea, or air (even aboard tactical transport aircraft like a C-130 or an A400M), offering Ukraine flexibility in positioning the sensor where it is most needed without heavy reliance on permanent infrastructure.
The decision to send the Lanza radar builds on a broader pattern of defence cooperation between Spain and Ukraine. In late 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Spain and met with senior representatives of Spanish defence industries, including Indra and other firms, to explore deeper collaboration and examine Spanish air-defence, anti-drone, and radar technologies. This engagement underscored growing mutual interest in expanding defence industrial ties and operational support.
From a strategic perspective, Spain’s radar transfer is part of a wider array of military aid packages provided to Ukraine by NATO allies, which include anti-aircraft systems, ammunition, and training. While not as headline-grabbing as heavy weapons transfers, the delivery of advanced radar systems represents a force multiplier — enhancing Ukraine’s ability to make informed decisions and respond effectively to aerial threats across its contested airspace.
In modern conflicts, advanced radar systems are among the most critical elements of integrated air-defence networks. They extend the detection horizon, improve target discrimination, and provide precise data for command and control systems coordinating fighters, surface-to-air missiles, and other defensive assets. The addition of new long-range sensors can help reduce reaction times and improve the survivability of personnel and key infrastructure.
For Ukraine, the need for robust air-surveillance sensors has become even more pressing as Russian forces have made extensive use of drones, cruise missiles, and tactical strike aircraft throughout the conflict. Deliveries of high-end radar technology — such as Spain’s Lanza system — reinforce Ukraine’s layered air-defence approach and provide much-needed situational awareness against increasingly diverse threats.
The radar contract is a testament to Spain’s ongoing political and material support for Ukraine. As Western allies continue to calibrate their aid packages in response to both battlefield needs and domestic debates, contributions like the Lanza radar underscore the multifaceted nature of military assistance — not limited to weapons platforms but extending into key sensor and information-dominance capabilities that shape outcomes on the ground.
This latest announcement also highlights the role of Spanish defence industry players like Indra in supporting allied defence efforts and contributing technological solutions that matter in real operational scenarios.
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