The “Vilkas” Tactical Air Detachment reinforces protection of the eastern flank with the CROW anti-UAS system

•  The CROW system is an advanced solution that combines various technologies to detect, identify and neutralise unmanned threats, such as drones and balloons

The Vilkas Tactical Air Detachment (DAT) has increased its capabilities for protecting NATO's eastern flank airspace with the addition of the CROW counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) from the Air and Space Force's Deployment Support Squadron (EADA).

The CROW system, developed by Indra, is an advanced solution that combines several technologies to detect, identify and neutralise unmanned threats, such as drones and balloons. The interoperability and effectiveness of this system have already been tested, both in NATO training activities, such as the Performance Challenge series of exercises, and in real operations, specifically in Mali.

In addition to the system, the nine military personnel responsible for its maintenance have joined DAT Vilkas. With this deployment, Spain reinforces its commitment to the security of NATO's eastern flank.

Meanwhile, over the past week, the F18 fighter jets of DAT Vilkas have successfully carried out several rapid reaction air policing missions, known as A-Scrambles, in response to the detection of unidentified aircraft. In all cases, the Spanish aircraft returned to their air base in Siauliai, Lithuania, without incident.

Ministers from Lithuania and Latvia visit Spanish forces

Spanish airmen from Vilkas received a visit from Lithuanian Minister of the Interior Vladislav Kondratovic and Latvian Minister for Smart Administration and Regional Development Raimonds Cudars, who wanted to see first-hand the work carried out by the Spanish contingent. During their visit, in addition to seeing the facilities, Lieutenant Colonel Fernando García Allén, head of DAT Vilkas, presented the mission's tasks and showed them one of the deployed F18M aircraft.

Since the beginning of December, Spain, through DAT Vilkas, has continued to lead the Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission and provide additional resources for the Eastern Sentry Enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA), ensuring the security and protection of the alliance's airspace.

DAT “Vilkas”: Spain's contribution to air protection on the Eastern Flank

DAT “Vilkas”, which means “wolf” in Lithuanian, is a tactical air detachment of the Air and Space Force that contributes to airspace surveillance and protection tasks on NATO's eastern flank.

Since early December 2025, Spain has assumed leadership of the Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission as a key component of NATO's Operation Persistent Effort. Likewise, DAT “Vilkas” continues to participate, within the framework of the Enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA) “Eastern Sentry” defensive reinforcement in its area of responsibility, to prevent any unidentified incursions into allied airspace, thus contributing to the collective security of the Alliance and, therefore, of Spain.

In terms of its composition, it consists of 200 military personnel from different units and specialities: air operations, logistics and security, among others, with a total of twelve aircraft: eleven EF-18M Hornet fighters belonging to Wing 15 (Zaragoza) and one TK23 A400M from Wing 31 (Zaragoza). Together, they represent the largest air deployment on the Eastern Flank up to today.