Mr Juan Rodríguez GaratAdmiral (R) of the Fleet, it is clear to him that the world order has changed after the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine: "The three major safeguards that the world had to keep the peace have fallen away: the UNexploiting multilateralism; the nuclear weaponsThe powers could not go to war, and the trade relations. Because a mutual dependence as great as that which existed, for example, between Russia and Germany, where Russia bought technology in exchange for cheap energy supplies to Germany, would prevent a conflict. We were all wrong to think so. What are we left with? As the Roman maxim goes, si vis pacem, para bellumif you want peace, prepare for war".
"Defence budgets are increasing, by almost 25 per cent, but not only NATO, but also China, Russia and the rest of the world. That means, from a strategic point of view, back to Cold War valuesand from the point of view of the Defence industry, a opportunity. Spanish industry can and must take advantage of this situation", says the Admiral seven days before taking part in the Defence Observatory organised by PROA Communicationin collaboration with the Spanish Atlantic Association, and in which he will share the stage with the President of this Association, D. Adolfo Menéndezwith the Director General of the Spanish Association of Defence Technology Companies (TEDAE), D. César Ramos, and with the Managing Partner of PROA Comunicación Ms. Lucía Casanueva.
"Spain has to resolve an unresolved issue that has been pending since at least the 19th century: the Defence culture. Spaniards have begun to understand the armed peacenot the goody-goody peace in which there are no bad guys or wars, only those in the third world. We must instil in the Spanish people that the Armed Forces are there for catastrophes, to participate in peace operations, but also to defend our freedoms, our independence and our sovereignty. When Spaniards recognise this, we will be able to get our governments to use the armed forces in accordance with the particular ideas of the Spanish people, instead of following the guidelines of other countries whose public opinion is much better educated in defence. This overspending is an opportunity for business, but it is also an opportunity for the Spanish people. a responsibility for Spaniards"says Admiral Garat.
On the progress of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, the Admiral gives a preview of what he will explain at the Observatory: "This counteroffensive is another phase of the war, but it is not going to be miraculous or decisive. What is positive about it is that it has taken the initiative away from the Russian forces and has forced the Kremlin's Army into the trenchesWho would have thought it seventeen months ago! But it is very difficult for Ukraine to achieve strategically decisive results. This war is beginning to remind us more of the trench warfare of World War I than of the manoeuvre warfare of World War II, and is hardly reminiscent of the Persian Gulf wars at the dawn of the 21st century.