The Spanish Armed Forces are involved in 17 missions abroad and it is foreseen that by 2022, 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 involved in all the military missions that the European Union is carrying out on the African continent, with deployments in Mali, the Central African Republic, Somalia and Senegal, as well as the presence of military observers in Mozambique. Our Armed Forces are also involved in Operation Atalanta, which aims at countering piracy in the Indian Ocean, deploying troopd and assets belonging to the Navy and the Air Force, all conducted from the ES-OHQ located at Rota Naval Base in Spain.
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 (BAP) | May-2004 | ![]() |
Bulgaria / Romania | eAP South | Feb-2021 | ![]() |
Central African Republic | EUTM RCA | Jul-2016 | ![]() |
Somalia | EUTM Somalia | Jan-2010 | ![]() |
Mali | EUTM Mali | Jan-2013 | ![]() |
Mozambique | EUTM Mozambique | Nov-2021 | ![]() |
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 | Nov-2016 | ![]() |
Several operational areas | Diplomacy and Cooperative Security Activities | ![]() |
Open day at the Miguel de Cervantes Base with the participation of more than one hundred Lebanese children
2022/08/11Marjayoun, Lebanon
More informationHandover ceremony for the Chief of Contingent in Iraq presided over by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
2022/08/08Baghdad, Iraq
More informationSpain hands over leadership of NATO Baltic Air Policing mission to Hungary
2022/07/31Šiauliai, Lithuania
More informationThe submarine 'Tramontana' is integrated in the operation 'Sea Guardian'
2022/07/28In Cartagena
More informationThe Lebanon Brigade celebrates an event in honor of St. James the Apostle, patron saint of Spain and of the Spanish Cavalry
2022/07/27In Marjayoun, Lebanon
More information