The Chief of Defence, Admiral Teodoro E. López Calderón, visits the deployed personnel of the ‘Dédalo 25’ Expeditionary Battle Group

• The aircraft carrier ‘Juan Carlos I’ and the frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ are currently participating in amphibious operations exercises with the Turkish Navy

The Chief of Defence (JEMAD in Spanish), Admiral Teodoro E. López Calderón, has visited two of the ships of the Spanish Navy that are part of the ‘Dédalo 25’ Expeditionary Battle Group. Both the ‘Juan Carlos I’ and the ‘Blas de Lezo’ are currently off the coast of ‘Doganbey’, participating in amphibious operations exercises with the Turkish Navy.

The Chief of Defence, accompanied by the Commander of the Join Operations Command, Lieutenant General Jose Antonio Agüero Martínez, met with the personnel aboard the ‘Juan Carlos I’ and learned how the deployment of the Expeditionary Battle Group, which set sail on January 31st, is progressing.

They then moved to the Blas de Lezo frigate, where they also had the opportunity to meet the personnel on board

During the visit, the Chief of Defence attended some of the operational activities in which the Expeditionary Battle Group personnel participated, such as a re-embarkation of the Marines and a medical aeroevacuation exercise.

 ‘'Dedalo' Expeditionary Battle Group Deployment

"The ‘Dédalo 25’ is composed of the aircraft carrier ‘Juan Carlos I’, the frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’, and the frigate ‘Victoria’. The group is equipped with Harrier AV-8B+ aircraft and SH60B and SH60F helicopters, as well as landing craft from the Naval Beach Group. It also includes Marine Security Operational Teams and a Diving Operational Team. This combination of units provides a unique capability to operate autonomously and ensure full interoperability with allied forces."

"The ‘Dédalo 25’ Battle Group provided the Amphibious Force of the ARF during the recent ‘Steadfast Dart 25’ exercise, with more than 1,600 personnel from the ‘Juan Carlos I’ ship, the ‘Blas de Lezo’ and ‘Victoria’ frigates, and the Second Landing Battalion of the Marine Infantry Brigade.

During the deployment, the group is conducting aeronaval and amphibious operations in areas far from national territory, as well as bilateral activities with various NATO allies, including Italy, Greece, and Türkiye.

Through the 'Dedalo' Group, Spain contributes to the Alliance's military commitment in the interests of peace and international security. It also demonstrates its ability to project stability beyond our borders, protecting maritime traffic and the use of international airspace, always in close cooperation with Alliance nations and friendly allies.