Weapons Depot at Son Sant Joan Airport — Drones, Missiles and the Mallorca Debate

A New Depot, Lots of Unrest

At the military area of Son Sant Joan, just a few kilometers from Playa de Palma, a construction is currently taking place that raises questions on the island: a semi-subterranean storage for munitions and missiles. The figures are concrete: 27 meters long, about nine meters wide, 4.5 meters high and a capacity of around 75 tons. Above the reinforced concrete roof (40 centimeters thick) lies earth and grass — this is how the building is to blend into the landscape.

What is being stored?

Officially it's called 'strategic materials' — a diplomatic term behind which bombs, missiles and rockets lie. The Ministry of Defense emphasizes safety standards and says the depot is not a sign of a new armament, but a modernization of old storage facilities.

Particularly incendiary: The facility is designed so that ammunition for modern combat drones could also be stored. The MQ-9, about which much has been discussed, is large, has a wingspan of almost 20 meters, can fly hundreds of kilometers, and is currently used mainly for reconnaissance — technically arming it would also be possible.

Technology, Protection and Construction

Construction began in September, and the contract value is around 1.8 million euros. The depot is to withstand blast pressures of up to seven bars, planned to be free of internal load-bearing columns, with armored cables, special seals and external fire protection connections. Geotechnical investigations have been carried out; at times only a few workers may be on site for safety reasons.

Why here?

Son Sant Joan is logistically practical: already used militarily, well connected, and strategically located in the western Mediterranean. For some Mallorca residents this sounds like a contradiction: a holiday destination with vacation complexes and, just a stone's throw away, a depot full of weapons.

Political Reactions

Opinions on the island are divided. Left-green parties and parts of the population criticize the lack of transparency and warn against militarization. The conservative side calls for more information, while emphasizing national security. Right-wing voices praise the investment as necessary. The debate shows: it's not just about concrete, but about symbolism and trust.

My impression

I walked past the fence last week — beside a rusted Spantax aircraft that has stood there for years. You can feel the contradictions: the routine of a military project and the unresolved question for many residents: How safe are we really if weapons are stored at the airport? Whether the depot will later actually supply drone weapons remains open. The only certain thing is that the debate will keep occupying us for some time.