The Operations Command directs the participation of the Armed Forces in their collaboration in the security of the 'European Political Community Summit' and the 'European Council' in Granada.

• The Aerospace Operational Command is responsible for establishing surveillance, deterrence, security and control measures for national airspace, with the participation of units of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Air and Space Forces.

Operational Aerospace Command personnel, involved in Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations, will be in charge of establishing the presence, surveillance and airspace control measures necessary to guarantee the security and protection of airspace during the 'European Political Community Summit' and the 'Informal European Council', which are being held in Granada on 5 and 6 October.

The forces involved will be equipped with air defence capabilities, including modern drone detection and identification systems. The participation of fighter planes and helicopters from the Air and Space Army, an Air Defence Unit from the Spanish Army and the frigate F-102 'Almirante Juan de Borbón' from the Spanish Navy will be highlighted.

The entire military operation will be under the permanent control of the Air Operations Centre, which in turn will be in coordination with the State Security Forces and Corps, carrying out the early detection of any aerial threat that could endanger the security of the event.

The participation of the Armed Forces in the security operation of the 'European Political Community Summit' and the informal 'European Council Summit' demonstrates the high capacity of its components to contribute to the security and defence of Spain through the synergy of its units and resources and coordination with the different State Security Forces and Corps.

These events will be attended by around 45 delegations from European Union countries, as well as representatives from other invited countries, under the framework of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the second half of 2023.

Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations

Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations are an effective tool for maintaining surveillance of sovereign spaces, enabling early detection of threats and facilitating an immediate and viable response to a potential crisis. The Land, Maritime, Aerospace and Cyberspace Operational Commands make up the Permanent Command structure of the Armed Forces operational chain.

On a daily basis, some 3,000 Armed Forces personnel are involved in presence, surveillance and deterrence operations, under the operational control of the Operations Command..