Spanish NASAMS Air Defence Unit participates in multinational exercises

• The Spanish contingent, stationed at the Lielvarde air base in Latvia, reinforces air surveillance on NATO's eastern flank

The NASAMS Air Defence Unit (UDAA by its Spanish acronym) deployed in Latvia and integrated into the NATO Air Defence System (NATINAMDS) has carried out several multinational air defence exercises.

Specifically, the Spanish contingent of the UDAA NASAMS in Latvia participated in the exercise ‘Common Arrow’, organised by the Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Uedem, Germany. The main aim of the exercise was to ensure the defence of several sensitive points, including critical infrastructures and strategic areas, through the implementation of advanced tactics and effective communication between the Spanish team that coordinates the engagement orders and the UDAA NASAMS in Latvia.

On the other hand, the Spanish military deployed in Latvia participated in the Command-Post Exercise called ‘Tulip’, organised by the Latvian Surveillance and Control Centre in collaboration with the Uedem CAOC.

These exercises include mock attacks from non-NATO territories, which include a wide range of threats, such as cruise missiles, fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, as well as unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

These exercises not only test the tactical and technical capabilities of our military personnel, but also reinforce the need for precise coordination among the air defence provided by aircraft units and the anti-aircraft defence provided by the UDAA, in order to ensure an efficient response to potential threats in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment.

Persistent Effort operation

The Spanish UDAA NASAMS contingent deployed at the Lielvarde air base (Latvia) is part of the ‘Persistent Effort’ operation, which also includes the UDAA NASAMS in Estonia, the ‘Tigru’ detachment -with the radar of the Mobile Air Control Group (GRUMOCA in Spanish)- deployed in Romania, the Patriot battery deployed in Turkey and the air detachments that conduct Air Police missions, such as the ‘Paznic’, currently deployed in Romania.

All in all, Spain's participation in the protection of the eastern flank of Allied territory is a sign of Spain's commitment to the Alliance and another example of solidarity with our allies, with whom we share the values that underpin and protect democracy, freedom and global security.