Spain leads the NATO naval force responsible for patrolling the North Atlantic

• A Spanish vice-admiral is in command of 3,000 military personnel from Spain, Portugal, Latvia, Türkiye, the United States, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Poland, the United Kingdom and Germany

Spain will take on the responsibility of commanding NATO naval forces to monitor the North Atlantic from the beginning of July 2026. It will carry out this task until 30 June 2027.

‘Atlantic Deployment 26’ is thus embarking on a new mission throughout July, this time within the NATO framework, as ‘Commander Task Force Atlantic’ (CTF Atlantic).

Comprising five Spanish vessels — the strategic projection vessel ‘Juan Carlos I’, the amphibious assault ship ‘Castilla’, the frigates ‘Blas de Lezo’ and ‘Reina Sofía’, and the combat supply ship ‘Patiño’ — the Reinforced Landing Group (ARD) of the Naval Infantry Battalion, and eight ships from allied nations, CTF-AT constitutes one of the regional forces established by NATO to address the challenges posed by the geopolitical situation and potential threats to the Alliance and to global security in general.

The Commander of the Spanish Maritime Forces Headquarters (SPMARFOR), Vice-Admiral Juan Bautista Pérez Puig, will lead 3,000 military personnel from Spain, Portugal, Latvia, Türkiye, the United States, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Poland, the United Kingdom and Germany.

During July, this NATO naval task force will carry out surveillance and deterrence operations between the east coast of the United States and Europe within the North Atlantic areas of responsibility: from Canada to Greenland, Iceland, the United Kingdom and Norway. Furthermore, during this period, it will conduct operations with the navies of allied countries, such as Japan.

The North Atlantic is a vital area that contains trade routes, submarine cables and energy infrastructure. The presence of the ATLANTIC Task Force ensures deterrence and freedom of navigation for millions of European citizens. This mission reaffirms Spain’s commitment to maritime security, collective defence and strengthening interoperability with allies, whilst protecting and safeguarding shared interests with its partners and allies and contributing to the Alliance’s deterrence and defence capabilities. 

t also demonstrates the Spanish Armed Forces’ ability to generate and deploy an expeditionary force, prepared to operate effectively in any scenario where it is required. The activation of SPMARFOR as CTF Atlantic carries significant weight within the Alliance. Only six of NATO’s 32 member countries have a naval structure certified and qualified to assume command of allied naval forces at this level, which places Spain in a privileged position within the organisation’s collective security architecture.