Spanish soldiers from the 'Legion' battle group train alongside French allies in Steadfast 25

•  The Spanish land contingent, mainly composed of the King Alfonso XIII Brigade, has conducted cross-training activities to exchange knowledge and improve combat tactics

The 'Legion' battle group, integrated into the Land Component Command of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF) and mainly composed by the Rey Alfonso XIII Brigade, has carried out cross-training activities in collaboration with the French contingent. This training took place during their deployment in Romania as part of the Steadfast Dart 25 (STDT 25) exercise.

The aim of this training is to share knowledge, improve tactics and create synergies that strengthen the combat capabilities of the allies.

They have had the opportunity to carry out the activity in adverse climate conditions, given the low temperatures registered on the Romanian exercise area, which means greater readiness and responsiveness in all circumstances.

In addition, these exercises, conducted within the NATO framework, allow for the execution of operations with other NATO counterparts, building on similarities and enriching from differences for the common good.

Following the huge logistical effort made during the deployment phase to mobilise the 213 vehicles and 34 cargo containers of the land component participating in STDT 25, this exercise has been underway since 10 February, reaffirming Spain's commitment to NATO in the surveillance of the Alliance's eastern flank and making an integral contribution to the security of the region.

Steadfast Dart 2025 Exercise

Steadfast Dart (STDT) 25 is a joint alert and deployment exercise (ALERTEX/DEPLOYEX) planned by Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), based and commanded at the strategic level in Mons, Belgium, and conducted at the operational level by Joint Force Command Naples (JFCNP) in Italy.

The primary objective is to test and train the operational deployment and rapid reinforcement of elements of Allied Reaction Force (ARF) 2024 in NATO's peacetime South-eastern Watch Area (SEA) to provide a deterrent effect against any threat to Allied territory. STDT 25 is therefore the culmination of ARF 24's preparation and the most important field demonstration of its full operational capability.

Therefore, Steadfast Dart 25 shows that the ARF is a strategic, highly available, multi-domain, multinational capability that can be rapidly deployed and employed to enhance deterrence in peacetime and crisis, as well as to support Alliance defence in conflict. In this context, the aim is to test the interoperability and rapid deployment capability of the four components of ARF-24: land, air, maritime and special operations commands.

Participation of Spain in STDT25

In exercise STDT25, Spain is deploying almost 3,000 soldiers distributed among the four component commands of the Alliance. In addition to this major deployment, the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) will lead, for the first time since its inception, the NATO Special Operations Component for two years (from June 2024 until June 2026), after having undergone an intensive evaluation of their operational capabilities. In addition to the above-mentioned special operations forces, also the following units take part:

In Land Component Command (LCC), one unit of the enhanced battle group entity (732 military personnel), which will be part of the UK-led ARF LCC Brigade

Within the Maritime Component Command (MCC), an amphibious group composed of an LHD amphibious ship with its projection assets, a Marine force, and an embarked ROLE 2B. A total of approximately 1,400 Spanish

In the Air Component Command, the ESP JFAC participates as an Air Command and Control (AirC2) element. In addition, an A400 has been deployed for a limited period of time, as well as modules from the Air Deployment Support Squadron (EADA) of the Spanish Air and Space Force and aviation fuel management personnel. In total, approximately 40 Spanish military personnel are involved.