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NASAMS Air Defense Unit in Estonia has completed its deployment

In Estonia
December 3, 2024
  • The Spanish component, deployed at the Ämari air base, has reinforced air surveillance on NATO's eastern flank as part of Operation Persistent Effort.

The Air Defense Unit (UDAA), based on the Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System NASAMS, deployed at Ämari Air Base (Estonia), has completed its deployment in this Baltic country.

The Unit has been incorporated into the NATO Integrated Air Defense System (NATO IAMD), and, together with the Baltic Air Police, has contributed to the joint air defense of the Alliance's eastern flank with a missile battery.

Among other contributions, the temporary deployment of UDAA NASAMS to the Tapa Garrison barracks in north-central Estonia was a highlight. This change of location allowed UDAA NASAMS to train jointly with units such as the Estonian Air Defense Group.

Likewise, during its deployment, the Spanish contingent of the UDAA NASAMS has collaborated with the German Baltic Air Police. It has also participated in multinational exercises such as 'Neptune Strike 24-2', 'Common Arrow' or 'Uedem Awakening'.

The host nation held a farewell ceremony, presided over by the Estonian Minister of Defense and the Spanish Ambassador. During the ceremony, Spanish military personnel were decorated in recognition of their contribution to the security and protection of Estonian airspace in the NATO framework.

Operation 'Persistent Effort'.

The Spanish contingent of the UDAA NASAMS, composed of about a hundred military personnel from the different units of the Canary Islands Command and with the 94th Antiaircraft Artillery Regiment as generating unit, deployed to the Ämari air base (Estonia).

This UDAA constitutes Spain's support to the Alliance's missions on the eastern flank, specifically to Operation Persistent Effort, which also includes the NASAMS UDAA deployed in Latvia, the 'Tigru' Detachment -with the radar of the Mobile Air Control Group (GRUMOCA)- deployed in Romania, the Patriot battery deployed in Turkey and the air detachments that carry out Air Police missions, such as the 'Paznic', currently deployed in Romania.

The NASAMS system uses AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, which are a key element in the defence of Baltic airspace at mid-range.

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