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Marine Corps successfully completes deployment in NATO's eastern flank reinforcement mission in Romania

In Romania
November 13, 2024
  • The ‘Tercio de Armada’ provides a Mechanised Tactical Sub-Group in Romanian territory made up of more than 200 soldiers and nearly 40 vehicles.

The Marine Corps contingent has successfully completed its deployment to Camp General Berthelot at the Cincu base in Romania to join the French-led multinational battalion in NATO's eastern flank reinforcement mission.

This deployment, which began a month ago, has concluded its projection phase with the arrival of the third group of Spanish military personnel, made up of around 130 marines, who were transferred aboard an A330 aircraft from the Rota naval base to Brasov airport.

Spanish participation in Romania

The Marine Corps Brigade ‘Tercio de Armada’ deploys in Romanian territory a Mechanised Tactical Sub-Group consisting of more than 200 military personnel and about 40 vehicles, under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS by its Spanish acronym).

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

Moreover, it is worth highlighting the contribution of units that improve the combat capability of the Tactical Subgroup, such as a team of Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC), an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) reconnaissance team ‘Parrot’.

In the logistics area, Spain contributes with IVECO and VEMPAR trucks and a health detachment, strengthening support capabilities and ensuring the operational maintenance of the deployed force.

NATO's forward presence

Romania's Forward Land Forces Multinational Battle Group is one of eight counterpart units deployed along the eastern flank of the Atlantic Alliance to contribute to deterrence in this Allied territory.

The activities carried out are exercises of the unit itself as well as others integrated in the Multinational Brigade led by France, or in cooperation with the Romanian Armed Forces.

NATO's military presence on the Alliance's Eastern Front is a key element of its enhanced deterrence and defence commitment, which has been increased in recent years to reflect the new security reality in the Euro-Atlantic area.

NATO's forward presence consists of eight multinational battlegroups, contributed by framework nations and other contributing allies voluntarily.

Currently, NATO Allies' troops and personnel train and exercise together in the east of the Alliance. The forces of contributing countries 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 be deployed rapidly, if necessary.

The deployment of Spanish forces to support and 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 determined contribution to the Alliance's deterrence efforts in the East of Europe.

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