Two representatives from the Spanish Verification Unit attend a Vienna Document 2011 event in Italy

•  The delegates visited Gioia del Colle Air Base, home to the 36th Wing, and the military facility of the 9th Mechanised Infantry Regiment

Two representatives from the Spanish Verification Unit (UVE) attended the event organised by Italy in accordance with the Vienna Document 2011 (VD11).

The event consisted of a visit to Gioia del Colle Air Base, headquarters of the 36th Wing, and to the military facility of the 9th Mechanised Infantry Regiment, located in the town of Trani, where two new major weapon systems were presented: the Centauro II 8x8 armoured vehicle and the VBM Freccia mortar carrier.

These activities take place every five years, as stipulated in the Vienna Document itself, and are notified to the participating States, with the exception of Russia and Belarus. A total of 31 delegates from 17 countries of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and a representative from the Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC-OSCE) attended.

Informative presentations were given by the units visited, and there was an opportunity to familiarise oneself with the facilities, the instruction and training of personnel, the various equipment used, and the daily activities of the units visited.

There was also an opportunity to speak with personnel from the various units and to view the new major weapon systems already in service with the Italian Army units, as well as to witness a live exercise involving the evacuation of personnel wounded in action by the 9th Regiment, with the support of aircraft from the 36th Wing.

At the end of the event, the attendees carried out the corresponding evaluation, in which they confirmed full compliance with OSCE requirements.

The Spanish Verification Unit ensures the observation and compliance with the conventional arms control treaties and agreements signed by Spain within the framework of the OSCE, to contribute to the development and strengthening of international peace, stability and security. In this regard, DV11 stipulates that participating States must periodically organise a visit to an air base and a military facility and present the new major weapons systems in service in each of the signatory countries.