Spain transfers command of NATO's Multinational Brigade Slovakia

•  Colonel Ángel José Espiga Gómez takes over as head of the Multinational Task Force under Spanish leadership at an event attended by the Slovakian Minister of Defence

The NATO Multinational Brigade in Slovakia (MN BDE TF SVK) has held its Transfer of Authority (TOA) ceremony in the Flag Square of Camp Slávia I at the Lešť Training Centre.

Colonel Ángel José Espiga Gómez has thus taken over command of the Multinational Task Force, made up of units from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain, after taking over from Colonel Jesús M. Martínez Victoria.

With this act, the script of unity is passed, marking also the continuity of Spanish leadership at the head of this force, which has recently been certified by NATO.

The military ceremony was presided over by Brigadier General Javier Betolaza Méndez, DCOS Support of the Spanish Operations Command, and was attended by the military representatives of the six allied countries that make up the MN BDE TF SVK. In terms of civilian representation, the event was attended by the Slovakian Minister of Defence, Robert Kaliňák. Other senior officials from the Slovak Ministry of Defence also attended.

During his speech, the Director General of the Defence Policy Division, Róbert Bestro, highlighted Spain's leadership and the excellent cooperation provided by the Brigade, as well as praising the quality of international collaboration. "This multinational force demonstrates the real commitment to collective defence. The excellent cooperation between friendly nations here is a tangible example of how to build security through unity and mutual trust.

Then, in his first words to his Brigade, Colonel Espiga stressed that ‘our duty is very clear: to deter any external threat and, if necessary, to defend our nations and our families’. He also reaffirmed his determination to consolidate what has been achieved and to advance in cohesion and interoperability.

With this handover, Spain renews its commitment as a framework nation, through the leadership of a fully integrated multinational force, ready to respond quickly and effectively to any regional threat.

Spanish participation in Slovakia

On 20 January 2024, the Spanish Armed Forces began the progressive deployment of personnel and capabilities to Slovakia; and on 1 July 2024, they took command - as a framework nation - of the Alliance's Multinational Task Force in this eastern flank country, after taking over from the Czech Republic. Spain is currently leading NATO's multinational brigade formation and is in charge of the multinational Task Force that is permanently deployed in the town of Lešť.

Slovakia, Slovenia, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Romania have joined this NATO effort in allied territory in Eastern Europe, which, under Spanish leadership, complete the Task Force's capabilities. Our country provides forces and capabilities to this mission, as part of the commitments acquired with international security and defence organisations.

Spain is a responsible partner and ally, committed to NATO's defence objectives. This deployment in Slovakia, under Spanish leadership, ensures NATO's advanced presence on NATO's eastern flank and demonstrates the Alliance's solidarity and cohesion in uniting and reinforcing its deterrence efforts in Eastern Europe.