The Diplomat
Spain is going to use the Air Defense Unit (UDAA) NASAMS, currently deployed in Latvia, to protect the NATO Summit to be held on July 11 and 12 in Vilnius (Lithuania).
In a press release, the Defense General Staff (EMD, by its Spanish acronym) informed yesterday that the UDAA anti-missile unit will postpone its relief, after six months at the base in Lielvarde (Latvia), to face “a new mission: to defend the skies of Lithuania during the NATO Summit”.
During “the successful deployment in Latvia,” the EMD continued, “UDAA NASAMS eFP XII has conducted numerous exercises, perfecting its coordination and emergency response capabilities.” In addition, “it has worked closely with Latvian defense forces, strengthening allied cooperation and enhancing regional security,” it added.
“The choice of the UDAA NASAMS eFP XII to also protect the skies of the neighboring country is a testament to its exceptional performance in Latvia,” the General Staff stressed. “The technical achievements in connectivity attained during its deployment, the high level of instruction and training demonstrated by the unit’s personnel and its ability to quickly adapt to changes have been fundamental points for its selection for the new air defense task,” it added.
According to the EMD, the NATO Summit in Lithuania “is a key milestone in strengthening cooperation and security in an ever-changing world.” “Participating leaders will discuss crucial issues such as cyber security, strengthening NATO’s presence and deterrence capability, stability on the southern flank and transatlantic cooperation,” it concluded.
Vilnius will pick up the baton in mid-July from the Madrid Summit, which took place in June 2022 and developed the “Madrid Concept”, a new Alliance Strategic Concept that includes references to the Southern Flank and identifies new security threats such as cybercrime, illegal immigration, the effects of climate change and hybrid threats. In Lithuania, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will conclude his term, but all indications are that he will be re-elected for another term. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has repeatedly rejected the possible appointment of Pedro Sanchez as NATO Secretary General.
The three Baltic NATO members, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, do not have the necessary air assets to contribute to NATO air policing on their own territories. Therefore, NATO members provide them with the necessary capabilities. Spain contributes with several fighter planes (F-18 and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft) and deploys about 150 military personnel in Lithuania and Estonia, within the framework of the contingent, for maintenance, logistics, surveillance and control of the Detachment. In addition, Spain has deployed around 600 military personnel in Latvia, whose number was reinforced due to the situation created by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
