The Spanish Verification Unit attends the Vienna Document event organised by Poland

 A visit was made to the 23rd Tactical Air Base, located in the Minsk Mazowiecki area, and the 1st Armoured Brigade, located in Warszawa-Wesola

A delegation from the Spanish Verification Unit (UVE) attended the Vienna Document 2011 (VD11) event, organised by Poland, which consisted of a visit to the 23rd Tactical Air Base, located in the Minsk Mazowiecki area, and the 1st Armoured Brigade, located in Warszawa-Wesola.

The event was attended by a large delegation from member states of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and a representative from the Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC-OSCE).

Informative presentations were given by the units visited, and we had the opportunity to familiarise ourselves with the facilities, the instruction and training of the personnel, the various equipment used and the day-to-day activities of the units visited, as stipulated in DV11. We also had the opportunity to interact with personnel from the various units.

During the visit to the 23rd Tactical Air Base, the observers were shown the equipment available. In addition, two new systems were presented: the FA-50 light fighter (a multi-purpose aircraft for training, air defence, ground attack and tactical support missions); and the AW-149 helicopter (a multi-purpose helicopter for transport, search and rescue, and battlefield support missions). The presence of the MiG-29s deserves a special mention; they are due to be phased out next year to make way for the new F-35s.

The following day, the delegation visited the 1st Armoured Brigade, where they were shown new equipment recently introduced to the unit, such as the K2 main battle tank, the K9 self-propelled artillery piece (both of Korean origin), the AMV ROSOMAK ZSSW-30 infantry fighting vehicle, and the HOMAR-K rocket launcher.

At the end of the event, the attendees carried out the relevant evaluation, in which they confirmed full compliance with the requirements for this type of event within the OSCE.

As set out in DV11, Poland notified the other States Parties of this event by issuing an invitation to all of them, with the exception of Russia and Belarus. These activities take place every five years, as stipulated in the Vienna Document itself.

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