Spain begins deployment of ground forces that will form the Battle Group of the NATO mission in Slovakia

• From July 2024, the Spanish Armed Forces are expected to lead the Alliance's Multinational Brigade in this eastern flank country

The Spanish Armed Forces start next January 20 the progressive deployment of personnel and capabilities in Slovakia. Spain will lead a Multinational Brigade, maintaining permanently deployed a multinational Battlegroup in the town of Lešť which, in June, will relieve the one currently deployed led by the Czech Republic.

The forces to be deployed on the ground by the end of the first half of the year will contribute to 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, highlighting the contribution of Portuguese armored units and Czech mechanized units.

The deployment of these initial capabilities begins with the take-off from Santiago de Compostela Airport of the first group of soldiers departing for Slovakia. They are approximately 50 men and women from different units of the Spanish Army, most of them belonging to the Brigada Galicia VII (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 for the transition of mission leadership between the Czech Republic and Spain. Simultaneously, the deployed force will be increasing its instruction and training activities by taking advantage of the great opportunities offered, in terms of facilities, by the Lešť maneuver field and the schedule of multinational drills planned between the months of March and June.

Our country provides this Atlantic Alliance mission with forces and capabilities as part of the commitments acquired with the International Security and Defense Organizations.

Spain is a responsible partner and ally, committed to NATO's defense objectives. This deployment of forces to support and reinforce the forward presence on NATO's eastern flank demonstrates the firm commitment of Spain and its Armed Forces to our allies and Spain's decisive contribution to the Alliance's deterrence efforts in Eastern Europe.