Deployments

The Spanish Armed Forces are involved in 16 missions abroad and it is foreseen that by 2021, the highest number of troops simultaneously deployed will not exceed 2,900, excluding occasional adjustments in some of the missions depending on requirements such as those derived from the temporary exercise of command over international forces, or due to the health and security situation.

The largest contingents are in Lebanon, with over 600 blue helmets, and in Mali, with roughly 500 troops. Within NATO, they monitor the waters of the Mediterranean and take part in the defense of the Baltic countries and Turkey.

Spain is also present in all the military missions that the European Union carries out on the African continent, with deployments in Mali, Central African Republic, Somalia, and Senegal, as well as in EUNAVFOR Atalanta operation, which aims to prevent piracy in the Indian Ocean.

The following map shows the participation of Spanish military units and observers in operations abroad:

INTERACTIVE MAP: Click on each mission to learn more.

Summary of deployments where Spain is involved

Location	Mission	Starting	Command
Baltic Countries	Baltic Air Policing	May-2018
Romania	enhanced Air Policing	Feb-2021
Central African Republic	EUTM RCA	Jul-2016
Somalia	EUTM Somalia	Jan-2010
Mali	EUTM Mali	Jan-2013
Iraq	Inherent Resolve	Oct-2014
Senegal	Marfil Detachment	Jan-2013
Indian Ocean	EUNAVFOR Atalanta	Sep-2008
Turkey	Support to Turkey	Sep-2014
Bosnia i Herzegovina	EUFOR Althea BiH	Dec-2004
Mediterranean Sea	Standing NATO Maritime Groups and Counter-Mine	Jan-2017
Lebanon	UNIFIL	Sep-2006
Colombia	UN Colombia	Aug-2012
Latvia	Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP)	Jun-2017
Several operation areas	Sea Guardian  (check activation periods)	Nov-2016
Varias zonas	SEGURIDAD COOPERATIVA ACTIVIDADES DIPLOMATICAS  (consultar periodos de activación)	/