‘Eagle Eye 25-02’ Activation Begins in Galicia and the Atlantic Ocean

• The objective of this operational activity is to integrate the capabilities of the Air and Space Force, the Army, and the Navy into the national air defence system

 Until Friday, 9 May, the activation ‘Eagle Eye 25-02’ will be conducted in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. It is led by the Air Operations Command and under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS in Spanish). The aim of this activation is to integrate the capabilities of the Air and Space Force, the Army, and the Navy into the national air defence system, in order to enhance joint efficiency in the execution of Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence Operations (OPVD) across all domains of sovereignty.

As part of ‘Eagle Eye 25-02’, the Air and Space Force will deploy six Eurofighter C.16 aircraft from Wing 14th (Albacete) on QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) missions. In line with their ongoing training in Air Policing tasks within national airspace, these fighter jets will conduct early warning services, demonstrating their ability to be airborne within less than 15 minutes from the detection of an unidentified track. To carry out these tasks, over 80 personnel —including aircrews and maintenance and support staff— will be deployed to Santiago Military Airfield.

In parallel, the Central Command and Control Group (GRUCEMAC in Spanish), located at Torrejón Air Base, will be responsible for airspace surveillance. To this end, GRUCEMAC will use data provided by the various Air Surveillance Squadrons (EVA in Spanish), as well as information gathered by land- and sea-based assets.

During the activation, the Air Operations Centre (AOC) will serve as the command and control post, responsible for tactical control of surveillance, air policing, and defence operations within national sovereign airspace.

Army Effort

On the Army side, the ‘Cancerbero’ Air Defence Unit (UDAA in Spanish) will deploy around the towns of Noia and Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), providing air defence and complementing airspace surveillance efforts. This joint operation’s UDAA is formed around the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Command (MAAA in Spanish) and led by the 3rd/73rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group (GAAA III/73) ‘Patriot’ from Marines (Valencia). It includes Patriot, Hawk, and Mistral surface-to-air missile systems —from both MAAA and the 12th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group (GACA XII)—, 35/90 anti-aircraft cannons, the MAAA’s Signals Unit, and a Force Protection (FP) unit from the 1st/29th Infantry Battalion ‘Zamora’ of the ‘Galicia’ Brigade VII. Around 275 personnel from various units across Spain will participate.

During Eagle Eye 25-02, the UDAA will deploy its assets to designated sites to contribute to airspace surveillance via its sensors and to protect assigned zones using ground-based weapons systems, fully integrated into the Air Defence System. In doing so, the UDAA will provide a joint contribution to the national airspace defence.

Maritime Commitment

From the Navy, the F-103 frigate Blas de Lezo will operate in Atlantic waters with the mission of integrating into the air defence system, contributing air surveillance and air defence capabilities and complementing coverage provided by the Air Surveillance Squadrons and the deployed UDAA.

The Blas de Lezo frigate is designed for a wide range of missions, from air defence to anti-submarine warfare. It represents a high-value asset for national defence due to its capacity for integration into joint operations and with international allied forces. In this context, its advanced radar and missile systems enable it to detect and neutralise threats at long range, ensuring effective protection of the airspace.

Once again, the ‘Eagle Eye 25-02’ activation demonstrates the high technical and operational capabilities of the Armed Forces and stands as a clear example of their core values: teamwork, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to the defence and security of Spain.