Spain is to supply Ukraine with Patriot missiles from its own stocks for the US-made air defence system, Defence Minister Margarita Robles confirmed on Friday.
Earlier Spanish daily El País reported that Madrid had decided to supply Kiev with Patriot missiles, but not the radar and launchers that the surface-to-air system requires.
Robles confirmed the report during the video conference of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the Defence Ministry said. She did not comment on whether or not Spain would deliver the radar and launchers, the ministry said.
Ukraine has asked repeatedly for Patriot missile systems to fend off Russian attacks, and the pressure from leaders in Europe has been building.
On Monday, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged member states to send the systems to Ukraine, and speaking in Brussels a week ago, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also called on NATO members to release spare Patriot systems.
El Pais reported that a "small number" of the missiles, which are reported to cost more than $1 million each, would be sent.
In her statement, Robles also noted further Spanish support for Ukraine in its defence against the Russian invasion, including further Leopard battle tanks which are currently being repaired. The first tranche could be ready for deployment before the end of June, she said.
Preparations are also being made for the delivery of machine guns, protected logistics vehicles, armoured infantry vehicles, anti-tank weapons and field artillery howitzers, according to Robles.
Spain has three Patriot systems. One has been stationed in Turkey as part of a NATO deployment against missile attacks from Syria since 2015.
Germany has announced that it will provide a third Patriot system to Ukraine. Patriots have been used successfully to intercept aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.