The Supreme Allied Commander Europe visits Spanish military personnel deployed in Slovakia

 At Malacky Air Base, four-star General Alexus G. Grynkewich acquainted himself with the capabilities and equipment of Force Kuchyňa and the Multinational Brigade led by Spain in Lest

The Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), four-star General Alexus G. Grynkewich, visited the Spanish Kuchyňa Force contingent deployed in Slovakia.

As part of his institutional agenda as NATO's highest military authority, he travelled to the Malacky Air Base at the invitation of the Spanish Ministry of Defence. There, he gained first-hand insight into its mission, capabilities and level of readiness, as well as its contribution to deterrence and collective defence on the Alliance's eastern flank.

The Kuchyňa Force comprises the Corps Forward Element (CFE), an advanced element of the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps, Spain (NRDC-ESP), which is based in Bétera (Valencia), as well as a Helicopter Unit and a Communications Unit. This set of capabilities ensures the planning, execution and support of allied operations, guaranteeing effective information flow, high mobility and a rapid response to any eventuality within the operational area.

From this base, the Spanish contingent undertakes command and control, air interoperability, communications and multinational integration tasks in an area covering the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Fulfilling this mission directly contributes to regional stability and security, while strengthening trust and mutual understanding among Central European armed forces.

During the visit, Colonel Enrique Mateo de Navascués, the commanding officer of the contingent, introduced SACEUR to the structure, tasks and capabilities of the Spanish units deployed in Malacky. He also accompanied him on a static display of the Helicopter Unit's equipment and a presentation of the equipment of the NATO Multinational Brigade led by Spain in the town of Lest. This exhibition showcased key capabilities such as C-UAS systems, air defence (Mistral), and a ground reconnaissance and exploration vehicle. The exhibition emphasised the high level of readiness, versatility, and operational preparedness of the Spanish units, which are trained to operate effectively in complex and demanding environments.

In addition to the units stationed at the Malacky Air Base, the Spanish deployment in Slovakia comprises a combat unit deployed in the town of Lešť. This unit is led by Spain and operates under the name Multinational Battlegroup Slovakia (MN BG SVK). This combat group comprises around 800 Spanish legionnaires who are deployed alongside forces from Portugal, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Croatia.

The visit by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) recognises the daily work carried out by Spanish personnel deployed in Slovakia, and reinforces the visibility of Spain's commitment to collective security. This deployment reaffirms Spain's role as a reliable and dedicated NATO ally, contributing to the defence and deterrence of the eastern flank, and promoting regional stability in line with its commitments to supporting international security.