Spanish Combat Engineers Support Force Protection and Operational Readiness in NATO Multinational Brigade in Slovakia

Spanish combat engineers combine essential operational capabilities at the tactical level with technical and infrastructure support tasks

The Spanish Engineer Unit assigned to the Multinational Brigade Task Force Slovakia (MN BDE TF SVK) combines essential operational capabilities at the tactical level with technical and infrastructure support tasks on the ground at the Lešť training area. This dual role directly contributes to force protection as well as to maintaining the operational readiness of the multinational contingent.

At the operational level, this unit, composed of Legionnaires from the II Engineer Battalion of the Spanish Legion, is capable of carrying out mobility, countermobility and protection tasks. These include breaching operations, obstacle reduction, route clearance, position fortification and the construction of defensive works, in direct support of the combat units of MN BDE TF SVK.

For the first time, the Spanish combat engineers deployed in Slovakia have incorporated a canine team specialised in the detection of explosives and improvised explosive devices. This enhances security, reconnaissance and force protection capabilities, as the team is highly effective in conducting inspections of sensitive areas, route checks and threat mitigation.

In addition to their direct contribution to combat operations, the Engineer Unit provides an essential technical capability for infrastructure support within the Slovak training area, thereby contributing to improve the operational readiness of the base and the living conditions of deployed personnel. Among other tasks, they have carried out work to refurbish facilities, maintenance of access roads and support in clearing and adapting routes.

The unit is commanded by Captain Alejandro Polo Rueda, who underlined the importance of Spain’s responsibility in providing engineer capabilities in support of MN BDE TF SVK. In his own words: “There are fifty five of us supporting a formation of more than 800 troops, generating mobility, conducting countermobility actions, establishing defensive positions and neutralising explosive threats in direct support of combat operations. To accomplish this, maintaining a high level of readiness and adaptability is essential, something that we have achieved through recent deployments in different Allied environments. This highlights both the integration of new capabilities and the commitment of the combat engineers to the mission and to the spirit of the Spanish Legion.”

Spanish Participation in Slovakia

On 20 January 2024, the Spanish Armed Forces began the progressive deployment of personnel and capabilities to Slovakia. Spain currently leads the formation of NATO’s multinational brigade and maintains a multinational Task Force permanently deployed in the locality of Lešť.

During the first half of 2024, Spanish forces deployed to the area of operations and contributed to the capabilities required by the Alliance. Since 1 July 2024, the Spanish Armed Forces have assumed command of the Alliance’s multinational Task Force in this NATO eastern flank country, taking over from the Czech Republic.

Slovakia, Slovenia, Portugal and the Czech Republic also contribute to this NATO effort on Allied territory in Eastern Europe. Under Spanish leadership, they complete the capabilities of the Task Force. Spain provides forces and capabilities to this mission as part of its commitments to international security and defence organisations, demonstrating that Spain is a responsible partner and Ally committed to NATO defence objectives.