Marine deployment to NATO's eastern flank reinforcement mission in Romania continues

• El despliegue de las Fuerzas Armadas españolas en Cincu alcanza su segunda etapa, con la llegada de más personal y vehículos españoles al Grupo de Combate Multinacional

The Spanish Marine Infantry takes a new step in its deployment on NATO's eastern flank with the addition of more personnel and vehicles to the ‘General Berthelot’ camp at the Cincu base (Romania), where they are participating in NATO's eastern flank deterrence and defence mission.

The transport of personnel and material has been carried out jointly by Navy vessels and Air and Space Army aircraft, demonstrating the strategic projection capabilities of the Spanish Armed Forces.

The strategic projection of the Marine Infantry tactical sub-group was conducted in a multimodal manner from the Rota naval base to the port of Alexandropolis in Greece. From there, through Bulgaria, they moved to Romanian territory via a combination of road and rail movements.

Once in the operational area, military personnel from the Marine Infantry Force Romania (FIMAR-R-I), deployed earlier, coordinated the execution of the unloading of vehicles at the Dumbrăveni station and the subsequent convoys by road to the final destination at the ‘General Berthelot’ camp in the town of Cincu (Romania).

Moreover, on board the A400M aircraft, the personnel and material necessary to support the execution of the ground movements were directly transported to Brasov airport (Romania).

NATO's forward presence

NATO's military presence on the Alliance's Eastern Front is a key element of the Alliance's enhanced deterrence and defence commitment, which has grown in recent years to reflect the new security reality in the Euro-Atlantic area. The forward presence of allied forces is defensive, proportionate, transparent and, finally, in line with the Alliance's international commitments and obligations.

NATO's forward presence includes eight multinational battlegroups, provided by framework nations and other contributing allies on a voluntary, fully sustainable and rotational basis.

Currently, NATO Allies' troops and personnel train and exercise together in the east of the Alliance, representing a strong expression of unity and solidarity. Contributing nations' forces rotate in and out of battle groups; they may be deployed in the operational area or stationed in their home countries with the capacity to deploy rapidly if required.

The Forward Land Forces Multinational Battle Group of Romania is one of eight counterpart units deployed along the eastern flank of the Atlantic Alliance to contribute to deterrence and defence in this allied territory. The activities to be carried out are similar to those of the Spanish Armed Forces deployed in Latvia or Slovakia. These include carrying out their own unit's exercises and other integrated exercises that may be considered, always integrated into the Multinational Brigade led with France, as well as those carried out in cooperation with the Romanian Armed Forces.

Spanish participation in Romania

The Marine Infantry Brigade ‘Tercio de Armada’ will deploy in Romanian territory a Mechanised Tactical Subgroup composed of more than 200 military personnel and nearly 40 vehicles, ready to be integrated into a multinational battalion led by France and to carry out the assigned mission, under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS in Spanish). This deployment reaffirms Spain's commitment to the policy of deterrence and defence on the eastern flank implemented by NATO on the eastern flank.

The main assets provided by Spain to NATO's multinational battle group in Romania are the "Mowag Piranha" Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) and "URO VAMTAC ST5" High Mobility Tactical Vehicles equipped with "Spike" anti-tank missiles, heavy machine guns or 81mm mortars.

In addition, it is worth highlighting the contribution of units that substantially improve the combat capacity of the Tactical Subgroup, such as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) team, an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team and a reconnaissance team with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ‘Parrot’. In the logistical field, Spain contributes with IVECO trucks, VEMPAR and a health detachment, strengthening support capabilities and ensuring the operational maintenance of the deployed force. 

All in all, Spain is a responsible partner and ally, committed to NATO's defence objectives. The significant deployment of Spanish forces in support of and to reinforce 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 resolute contribution to the Alliance's deterrence efforts in Eastern Europe.