The Spanish contingent of EUMAM MOZ takes part in the new training cycle for Mozambican forces

•  The programme is being strengthened with the addition of tactical air traffic control teams and a specialisation phase aimed at fostering a stable environment in the African country

The Spanish contingent deployed as part of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Mozambique (EUMAM MOZ) has begun a new training cycle aimed at rebuilding and strengthening the Mozambican Armed Defence Forces (FADM).

Prior to the training, the multinational team of mentors conducts a comprehensive assessment of the actual situation on the ground. This analysis enables the identification of areas for improvement in planning and tactical conduct, applying the necessary corrective measures to ensure operational success.

In the logistical sphere, Commander César Palomo Bernardos has coordinated inspections of local forces’ infrastructure that was damaged by recent storms. His work is key to the maintenance of the facilities, ensuring that the multinational effort remains as effective as possible under the shared motto: “We are together”.

Once the initial adjustments for realistic training have been finalised, the training is reinforced with the introduction of tactical air control teams and a specialisation phase in the Boane district. This specialisation phase will begin in the coming weeks, with the inclusion of tactical air control party (TACP) teams and advanced training in the use of collective weapons (rocket launchers, mortars and sniper rifles) and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).

Tactical preparation is complemented by a week of cross-cutting training in critical areas such as international humanitarian law, human rights, gender perspectives, counter-terrorism and civil-military cooperation. To this end, the mission has the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations (UN).

The objective of the Spanish contingent deployed, alongside the other allied nations, is to promote a stable strategic environment in the African country. The soundness of this project has recently been validated by a delegation from the European Union Headquarters in Brussels, which visited the mission to verify its progress.

Furthermore, a three-year programme of specialised training in ammunition and ordnance store maintenance has been launched. The training is being provided by a mobile training team from Austria, which will progressively train ten future logistics instructors from the FADM.

EUMAM Mozambique: shared security

On 16 April 2024, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) agreed to the gradual transition of the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) Mozambique, which began in 2021, to a model combining advice, mentoring and specialised training for units of the Mozambican Armed Forces’ Rapid Reaction Force. The mission is now known as the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Mozambique (EUMAM Mozambique).