ANDALUCIA may get a military upgrade with plans from the US moving forward despite rumors of Trump removing forces.
The US is pressing ahead with plans for a new military aircraft hangar at the Rota naval base in Cadiz.
The move comes despite Trump’s growing frustration with Spain over defence spending and the Iran conflict.
Under a project known as FX74, the US military announced plans for a major logistics and maintenance facility designed to support gigantic C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft at the base.
The new facility would include runway upgrades, resurfacing works, electrical systems, storage facilities, fire protection and enhanced security infrastructure.
Documents published on the US government’s contracting portal claim the scheme remains active and was updated as recently as April, despite it not yet formally being put out to tender.
Six companies across Cadiz and Sevilla were awarded a multi-project contract for modernising the base’s infrastructure back in April.
The Cadiz facilities have received millions in investments from the US Department of Defence.
This comes as the latest sign that Washington still considers Rota as a vital military hub in southern Europe and the Mediterranean.
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However, tensions continue between Madrid and the White House, with Trump supposedly angered by Spain’s refusal to increase its defence spending and its reluctance to fully support the military operations linked to Iran.
Recently this week, Benjamin Leon, the new US ambassador to Spain, described Rota and Moron air bases as being ‘fundamental’ to the shared US-Spain defence interests.
Leon expressed that the differences between the US and Spanish governments don’t change the ‘deep relationship’ between the two countries.
Leon shared Trump’s emphasis that there is ‘nothing against the Spanish people,’ but only the government.
Regarding whether or not Trump is expected to visit Spain himself, Leon seemed skeptical, claiming that if Pedro Sanchez hadn’t received him, it isn’t likely that he will invite the president.
Naval Station Rota was created in 1953 as an agreement between Spain and the US.
The naval station is located on a 6,100 acre space in the Bay of Cadiz between Rota and El Puerto de Santa Maria.
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