Eduardo González
The Spanish Armed Forces will begin tomorrow, January 20, the progressive deployment of personnel and capabilities that will make up NATO’s deterrence and defense mission in Slovakia, as reported yesterday by the Defense Staff (EMAD).
According to the press release, starting in July, Spain will lead a Multinational Brigade in the town of Lest that, in June, will take over from the current one, led by the Czech Republic. The forces that will be deployed on the ground until the end of the first half of the year will contribute to strengthening the deterrence and defense capabilities required by the Alliance. This effort will be joined by other nations that, under Spanish leadership, will complete the deterrence and defense capabilities of the Battlegroup, continued the EMAD, which highlighted, in this regard, the contribution of Portuguese armored and Czech mechanized units.
The deployment of these initial capabilities begins with the takeoff from the Santiago de Compostela Airport of the first group of soldiers leaving for Slovakia. These are approximately 50 men and women from different Army units, most belonging to the Galicia VII Brigade (BRILAT) and stationed at the General Morillo base in Pontevedra, with support from other units from Valladolid, Huesca and Valencia.
The task of this initial contingent is to establish the necessary conditions to carry out the transition of leadership of the mission between the Czech Republic and Spain. Simultaneously, the deployed force will increase its instruction and training activities, taking advantage of the great opportunities offered, in terms of facilities, by the Lest maneuver field and the calendar of multinational exercises scheduled between the months of March and June.
“Spain is a responsible partner and ally, committed to NATO’s defense objectives,” declared EMAD. “With this deployment of forces in support and reinforcement of the advanced presence on the eastern flank of NATO, the firm commitment of Spain, and its Armed Forces, to our allies and the determined contribution of Spain to the efforts of deterrence of the Alliance in Eastern Europe,” it added.
