‘Strong Lineage 25: Integration of multinational forces in Slovakia moves forward to validate brigade expansion

• This NATO operational activity, carried out in Slovakia and led by the Galicia VII Brigade - BRILAT, has reached a key milestone with the completion of the strategic projection phase of personnel and assets

With the arrival of the different contingents and tactical equipment at the Lešť maneuver field,'Strong Lineage 25' (STLI25) enters a new stage: the integration phase of all units that make up the NATO Multinational Brigade Slovakia (MN BDE SVK).

Spain, as the lead nation of this large allied unit, now coordinates the complete planning of operational activity; unifies command and control procedures among all command posts; pools tactics, techniques and combat procedures under NATO standards; and, finally, ensures the interoperability of all communications systems.

This demanding integration phase will end on June 6 and, from then on, a three-day operational activity will be carried out within the framework of a tactical scenario developed for this purpose. This central activity of the STLI25 will involve all combat, combat support and logistic/sanitary support units of the MN BDE SVK, and will also count on the capacity of the Spanish helicopters HA-28 Tigre, NH-90 and two HT-17 Chinook that, since last May 28,  are deployed at Malacky Air Base (MAB Kuchyňa, Slovakia), under control of the Corps Forward Element (CFE), which is led by NATO Rapid Deployment Headquarters Spain (NRDC-ESP

Tactical scenario to validate the MN BDE SVK.

The execution of the tactical scenario will allow NATO Land Component Command (LANDCOM) to verify the escalation process of the unit deployed in Slovakia - a Battle Group entity reinforced with capabilities and support - to Brigade level, which will verify that, under the leadership of Spain, the increase in capabilities meets the requirements defined by the Alliance. In this way, STLI25 not only reinforces military readiness and training, but also demonstrates NATO's ability to deploy and coordinate forces quickly, effectively and reliably on its eastern flank.

Until reaching the integration and execution phases, it has been necessary to carry out the strategic projection process - known as the RSOM process (Reception, Staging, Onward Movement in English terminology) - which has allowed the deployment of units from seven NATO countries: Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Portugal, Romania, Türkiye and Spain. As the most significant data of this process of strategic projection of international personnel and means, some 7,000 tons of equipment and material, some 2,000 military personnel -more than 1,450 are Spanish-, some 410 combat vehicles and the 5 Spanish helicopters operating from the Malacky air base have been projected up to Slovakia.

This deployment by land, sea and air has transited through different countries on the European continent, which not only demonstrates the importance, the degree of difficulty in coordinating transport and the logistical effort that involves, but has also made it possible to test border crossing procedures between allied countries.

Undoubtedly, this joint logistic effort shows the capacity of the Spanish Army to lead multinational operational organizations, as well as the firm commitment of Spain to the Alliance's Deterrence and Defense, which strengthens the response capacity to possible threats in allied territory in Eastern Europe, and always in close coordination with the host nation, Slovakia.

Thanks to the participation of numerous NATO countries and command and control organizations, interoperability has become the central focus of Strong Lineage 25, which has already positioned itself as an international reference in the consolidation of collective defense, with the firm objective of ensuring that allied forces are ready to act in any scenario that requires an immediate and coordinated response.

Means and equipment of the MN BDE SVK

Among the combat means, the multinational brigade has Leopard 2A6 battle tanks, armored vehicles type BVP-1, BVP-2, Centauro combat vehicles, PANDUR II armored vehicles, Patria AMV armored vehicles and VAMTAC ST5 vehicles with different weapon and missile systems.

As combat support means, emphasize the participation of VERT and BPzV reconnaissance vehicles, VAMTAC sapper vehicles and explosive deactivation equipment, fire support means with Light Gun 105 mm howitzers, electronic warfare and cyber defense means, anti-tank defense means with Spike missiles, air defense means with Mistral missiles, means against CERVUS drones and unmanned aerial means such as Orbiter and Raven.

From the medical point of view, a ROLE1+ type unit is deployed, reinforced in personnel and resources with first aid, specialized first aid, triage, resuscitation, stabilization and casualty evacuation capabilities.