Eurofighters from DAT VILKAS visit the Spanish NASAMS UDAA deployed in Latvia

•  As part of NATO's Operation Persistent Effort, this unit contributes to air defence in the Baltic country in cooperation with allied countries for security in Eastern Europe

Two Eurofighter aircraft from the Air Tactical Detachment (DAT) “Vilkas”, deployed in Lithuania as part of NATO's Enhanced Air Policing mission, landed at Lielvarde Air Base, where they paid an operational and institutional visit to the Army's NASAMS Air Defence Unit (UDAA) NASAMS of the Army, deployed in the Latvian town of Lielvarde.

During the day, Spain's ambassador to Latvia, Manuel Alhama Orenes, visited the base to greet the soldiers from both contingents and express his appreciation for their deterrence and defence mission on the Alliance's eastern flank. In this context, Ambassador Alhama highlighted the importance of Spain's commitment to collective security.

The NASAMS UDAA, equipped with AIC-120C AMRAAM missile launchers and AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar, contributes essential air defence capabilities to NATO's Persistent Effort operation, while the Vilkas Eurofighters increase surveillance, control and interception in Baltic airspace. All in all, the simultaneous presence of both capabilities in the region demonstrates the complementarity of the Spanish assets deployed, as well as their interoperability and joint action.

In this regard, the visit helped to strengthen coordination between air and anti-aircraft units through the exchange of procedures and operational experiences, as well as reinforcing cohesion between Spanish contingents operating in different Baltic countries under NATO command.

Finally, this meeting underscores Spain's commitment to its allies and the ability of its Armed Forces to operate in an integrated, effective and flexible manner in multinational scenarios, making a significant contribution to security in Eastern Europe.

Spanish participation in Latvia

The main resources provided by Spain to the NATO Battlegroup in Latvia are Leopard 2E tanks, Pizarro infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and a NASAMS air defence unit (UDAA). It also contributes additional capabilities with a Field Artillery Unit, an Engineer Unit and logistical support elements.

In addition, Spain contributes other mechanised resources such as the M-113 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), heavy mortars, Combat Engineer Vehicles (CEV) and Spike anti-tank missiles. It is also worth highlighting the contribution of units that substantially improve the combat capability of the Tactical Subgroup, such as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) team and a Raven unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

All in all, Spain is a responsible partner and ally, committed to NATO's defence objectives. The significant deployment of Spanish forces in support and reinforcement of the forward presence on NATO's eastern flank demonstrates Spain's firm commitment, through its Armed Forces, to our allies, as well as Spain's determined contribution to the Alliance's deterrence efforts in Eastern Europe.