The Coastal Artillery Regiment No. 4 deploys one of its units in Pontevedra

• Over the coming days, the Coastal Defence Unit, UDACTA I/26, will ensure maritime security along the Galician coast

The Coastal Artillery Regiment No. 4 (RACTA 4) is deploying the Coastal Defence Unit (UDACTA I/26) over the next few days. The aim of the operation is to contribute to permanent expeditionary surveillance missions, in this case in Pontevedra, in order to increase real-time visibility of maritime traffic in the area and to detect threats with sufficient advance warning to enable an immediate response.

During this activation, more than one hundred personnel from RACTA 4, along with various artillery systems and command, control and logistic assets, are deployed in municipal areas close to the coastline, in coordination with the different local authorities.

The deployed equipment provides the unit with a set of specific capabilities that contribute to coastal defence and control at any point along the Spanish coastline. Accordingly, maritime traffic is monitored and any vessels that may be conducting any type of suspicious activity are reported.

It is worth highlighting the challenge faced by the unit in transporting all personnel and equipment due to the distance between the home garrisons, located in the municipalities of San Fernando and Tarifa (Cádiz), and the deployment area in Galicia. This also serves to test the unit’s logistic capability and its strong expeditionary character.

UDACTA I/26 is supported by military personnel from the “Galicia VII” Brigade (BRILAT – Spanish Army), performing various support and force protection tasks during the activation, while making every effort to minimise any impact on the daily life of the city and its surroundings.

Maritime Operational Command and Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations

The Maritime Operational Command (MOM) is part of the Armed Forces operational structure, subordinate to the Chief of Defence (CHOD), and is responsible at its level for the planning, conduct and follow-up of presence, surveillance and deterrence operations in maritime areas of sovereignty, responsibility and national interest. It operates under the command of the Admiral of Maritime Action (ALMART, Spanish Navy), Vice Admiral Vicente Cuquerella Gamboa, and is headquartered in Cartagena.

Integrated within the MOM, different Navy vessels conduct Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations under the operational control of the Operations Command. These operations are an effective tool to maintain surveillance of areas of sovereignty and interest, increase maritime situational awareness, contribute to their comprehensive protection together with other State institutions, and enable the early detection of threats, facilitating an immediate and viable response to a potential crisis.

Together with the MOM, the Land Operational Command (MOT), Air Operational Command (MOA), Space Operational Command (MOESPA) and Cyber and Space Operational Command (MOC) make up the structure of Permanent Operational Commands. On a daily basis, around 850 members of the Armed Forces are involved in permanent operations conducted under the operational control of the Operations Command.