The ‘Tigru’ Tactical Air Detachment visits the Romanian Air Force’s 1st Airspace Surveillance Group

• With the aim of enhancing mutual understanding, the tactical air detachment’s pilots share surveillance and reconnaissance experiences and procedures with their Romanian counterparts

 A delegation from the ‘Tigru’ Tactical Air Detachment visited the Romanian Air Force’s (RoAF) 1st Airspace Surveillance Group at the Borcea Air Base, which serves as the national air surveillance radar control center.

During the visit, military personnel from both countries were able to exchange knowledge and experiences in the field of air Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), providing an excellent opportunity to stress the importance of mutual respect, collaboration, and shared commitment to their contribution in ensuring the stability and security of NATO’s Eastern Flank.

The day began with a detailed presentation by the Commander of the Romanian unit, Colonel Alexandru Florin, which concentrated on the functions and capabilities of the air force, with special mention of the importance of maintenance, configuration control, and operational testing in its area of responsibility. The country’s resources and systems were also highlighted. Finally, the Romanian military personnel emphasised the importance of maintaining the Spanish radar deployed in the town of Schitu, on the Black Sea flank, in order to maintain security and control of NATO’s airspace.

At the end of the visit, an exchange of souvenirs took place between the Commander of the ‘Tigru’ Detachment, Commander Juan Pedro Segovia Vargas, and Colonel Alexandru Florin, as a symbol of friendship, camaraderie and cooperation between allied forces.

This meeting does not only restates the close alliance between Spain and Romania within the NATO framework, but also underlines the strategic importance of the NATO Enhanced Air Policing-RDR (eAP-RDR) mission in the region. The high level of operability of the Spanish AN/TPS-43M radar, which has already exceeded 22,000 hours of operation integrated into NATO’s air defence system, was recognised and appreciated by members of the Romanian Air Force, since its full operational capability strengthens the surveillance of the Romanian airspace and, therefore, of the Alliance’s Eastern Flank.

NATO IAMD - Operation ‘Persistent Effort’

The AN/TPS-43M radar, deployed in Romania, is part of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence (NATO IAMD) operation, within the framework of NATO’s Standing Defence Plan, Persistent Effort. This plan also includes the NASAMS Air Defence Unit (UDAA) in Latvia, the NATO Patriot battery in Türkiye and the air detachments that carry out NATO Air Policing missions, such as the ‘Vilkas’ Detachment, located in Lithuania.

All in all, Spain’s participation in the protection of NATO’s Eastern Flank is a sign of our country’s commitment to the Alliance and yet another example of solidarity with our Allies, with whom we share the values that sustain and safeguard democracy, freedom and global security.