Photos Spanish Military

[Nathyl]

Spanish Army Anti-Air Defence Unit (UDAA) deployed in Lielvarde AFB (Latvia). May 2024. Photo: Spanish Army/EMAD.

The NASAMS equipped Anti-Air Defence Unit (UDAA) deployed in Latvia belongs to the 73rd Anti-Air Artillery Regiment based in Cartagena (Murcia).

A second Spanish Army UDAA equipped with NASAMS will be deployed in Estonia in August (for at least four months).

The Spanish Army's NASAMS systems will be augmented and modernized under a contract signed last May with Kongsberg. All NASAMS systems already in service will be upgraded to the newest standard and seven additional launchers (four for the Army and three for the Air Force), five radars MPQ-64F1 (four for the Army and 1 for the Air Force) and support material will be acquired.

 

[Nathyl]

More NATO deployments...

First we can see VRC Centauros, VAMTACs and VAMTAC VERTs deployed to the Spanish lead NATO Battlegroup in Slovakia (NATO-eFP), then we have some VAMTACs and Spanish and Czech troops during Strong Cohesion 24 training Exercise on Lešť Training Area (Slovakia). June 2024. Photos: Spanish Army/EMAD.

The Spanish lead NATO Battlegroup deployed unther the Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) mission in Slovakia includes contingents from Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic.

The Urovesa VAMTAC land exploration and reconoissance (VERT) variant has an extendable mast on which state-of-the-art cameras and laser rangefinders are mounted. It also has a battlefield scanning system, capable of locating and identifying personnel on foot and vehicles at a distance of up to 7km. It is armed with an RCWS mount for an M2 .50cal HMG.

 

[Nathyl]

New Spanish Army's Logistical Ship. El Camino Español (A07) was commissioned in a ceremony at La Curra Dock of the Cartagena Naval Base the 26th of June 2024. Photos: Spanish Defence Ministry.

El Camino Español (A07) is owned by the Spanish Army but operated by the Spanish Navy. With the A07, the Spanish Navy now has two manned and operated Ro-Ro cargo ships in service for the Spanish Army, the Ysabel (A06) [which was commissioned in 2021], and El Camino Español (A07). Both ships replace the smaller and much older Martín Posadillo (A04) and El Camino Español (A05), already retired.

 

[Nathyl]

Spanish Navy's refurbished SH-60F with an Einsa Netón Mk.2 light special operations vehicle (VLOE) of the Naval Special Warfare Force sling loaded. December 2023. Photo: Spanish Navy.

The six refurbished SH-60Fs in service with the Spanish Navy belong to the 5th Squadron of the Flotilla de Aeronaves (FLOAN).

 

[Nathyl]

Spanish Air Force EF-18M fighters from the Vilkas Air Detachment based at Šiauliai AFB (Lithuania) escorting B-52Hs of the 69th Expeditionary Bomber Squadron working for Bomber Task Force (BTF) Europe 24-3. 28th of May 2024. Photo: Spanish Air Force/EMAD.

 

[Nathyl]

Some pics of Task Force Toro, the spanish unit deployed as part of Operation Inherent Resolve and under NATO Mission Iraq.


Brotherhood photos of the Chinook community of Al Asad Base (Iraq) - 26th of May 2024. Photos: Spanish Army/EMAD.

Chinook 'F' (ET-429) flying in support of TF-Viking QRF - July 2024. Photo: Spanish Army/EMAD (taken from video, probably).

Task Force Toro includes a helo detachment and an ISR support unit (with UAVs) at Al Asad AFB (Iraq). TF-Toro replaced its three assigned Cougars with new Chinooks 'F' last April. The unit, deployed in Iraq since 2018, reached 9000 flight hours last February.

 

[Nathyl]

Visit of the Spanish Defence Minister to Spanish Contingent serving on NATO Battlegroup Latvia (NATO - eFP Mission). Adazi Army Camp (Latvia) - December 2023. Photo: Spanish Defence Ministry/Combat Camera Letonia.

Interesting pic of some goodies deployed in Latvia by the Spanish Army.

From left to right we can see:

1.- An 'Arthur' Counter-Battery Radar system carried by an Iveco Astra 6x6 (change from older Iveco 7226 4x4 to newer Iveco Astra 6x6 was made last year).
2.- M-109A5E+ self-propelled howitzer with the 'TALOS GMV' system equipped (Spanish new artillery C&C and Fire Support System).
3.- Leopardo 2ER 'Búfalo' recovery vehicle.
4.- Leopardo 2E MBT.
5.- Pizarro II IFV.
6.- M113A2E 'VCZ' (Combat Engineer Vehicle variant - Last upgraded on 2022).
7.- JBC HMEE (Armored high mobility engineer excavator).
8.- Uro VAMTAC ST5 'ATGM' variant (Spike LR equipped).

 

[Nathyl]

Two pics of the Spanish Army Patriot Battery deployed in Turkey under Active Fence NATO Mission (locally called by Spain: Apoyo a Turquía) taken during a bilateral training Exercise with the 111th Squadron of the Turkish Air Force. - January 2024. Photos: Spanish Defence Ministry.

The Patriot Air Defense Unit deployed in the vicinity of Incirlik (Adana, Turkey) is one of only three Patriot batteries of the Spanish Army, all of them belonging to the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment 73 (RAAA-73) based at the 'General Almirante' Army Base (Marines, Valencia).

A few weeks ago the Spanish Government gave the green light to the "modernization" of the Spanish Patriots. In this case the "modernization" translates into the purchase of four new Patriot batteries (in the most recent configuration) and associated support stuff (price tag of 2,382.7 million euros).

Despite foreign pressure, Spain refuses "for the moment" to send any Patriot launchers to Ukraine. But three shipments of Patriot missiles have already been completed (numbers not disclosed as is usually the case with Spanish ammunition assistance to Ukraine).

Much of the reluctance of the Spanish High Command and the Government to send Patriot launchers to Ukraine stems from the burden that the RAAA-73 carries within the Spanish Anti-Air defense. With two of its three NASAMS batteries deployed on NATO business in the Baltic Countries or East Europe, and one of its three Patriot batteries also tied with NATO in Turkey, further increasing the RAAA-74's reliance (equipped with Hawks PIP-III/XXI) is not something that the Ministry of Defence or the Armed Forces likes, especially when the RAAA-74 itself has already transferred part of its Hawk launchers to Ukraine.

This situation will improve substantially with the NASAMS and Patriot modernization and procurement programs already underway but it will take quite some time until the new procurements and modernized batteries enter in service.

 

[Nathyl]

Spanish Army EC135/H135P2+ helicopters belonging to the helicopter battalion of the Emergency Military Unit (UME) taking off in formation. March 2024. Photo: Spanish Army.

We can see in the pic the four H135s of the UME, all with their characteristic high visibility livery: HU.26-07 (ET-195), HU.26-10 (ET-196), HU.26-11 (ET-197) and HU.26-12 (ET-198).

Those helos with another four Cougars (only with some parts painted in high visibility scheme) form the Emergency Helicopter Battalion (BHELEME II) stationed at the 'Coronel Mate' Army Base (Colmenar Viejo, Madrid) [H135s] and the 'Jaime I' Army Base (Bétera, Valencia) [Cougars].

 

[Nathyl]

Operators from the Special Forces Command of the Spanish Army, training urban ops during Exercise 'Empecinado 23'. October 2023 - Photos: Spanish Army.

Note the old M-60D mounted as support weapon on the Einsa Netón Mk.2 Light Special Operations Vehicle (VLOE).

These machine guns were received by the MOE from the former “Delta” Chinooks of Transport Helicopter Battalion V, which used them as self-protection weapons. Their use is intended to be temporary pending the completion of deliveries of the new HK MG-5A2s procured for the MOE.

The training included recon and intelligence collection raids, hostage rescue missions, hostile VIP neutralization/capture... With day and night training.

During exercise Empecinado 23, Tiger HAD-E helicopters from the Attack Helicopter Battalion I (BHELA I), NH-90TTH from the Helicopter Maneuver Battalion III (BHELMA III) and Chinooks 'F' from the Helicopter Transport Battalion V (BHELTRA V) provided close air support, reconnaissance, protection and operations support to MOE teams.

 

[Nathyl]

Some photos of the Spanish Army helo unit deployed to Romania for NATO Swift Response 24 Exercise (Tigre HAD-E, NH-90TTH & Chinooks) training with allied land forces. Two german CH-53G can be seen in the background of the fourth pic. Romania - May 2024. Photos: Spanish Army.

 

[Nathyl]

Here are some cold pics for these very hot days...

Winter training of troops of the Mountain Infantry Battalion I/64 'Pirineos' belonging to the Mountain Regiment 'Galicia' No. 64 based in Jaca, Huesca. Pyrenees Mountain Range - January 2024. Photo: Spanish Army.

Note the two Hägglunds Bandvagn 206S of the third photo.

All Spanish Army Bv 206 and Bv 206S are attached to the Mountain Infantry Regiment 'Galicia' No.64 and none to the Mountain Infantry Regiment 'América' No.66.... But they are deployed in operations or in support of other army units as required by operational or terrain conditions (such as their deployment in Afghanistan).

The BV-206/206S are also regularly deployed in support of the L118 light gun battery of the Field Artillery Regiment No.20, unit designated to provide artillery support to the mountain units.

 

[NebrHogger]

Spanish Foreign Legion - squared away as always!

 

[Nathyl]

Spanish Foreign Legion - squared away as always!

Good pic of 'Titán', a lamb of only six months at the time of the photo (12th of October 2022).

One of the more uncommon mascots of the Spanish Legion units in modern times. Although the goat is the most common animal adopted as mascot, sometimes and for strange reasons, happenings or circumstances the Legion units adopted other animals throughout its history (dogs, wild boars, parrots, gibraltar monkeys, sheeps, lambs, rams, antelopes, ponies or even a bear) since the first 'goat' was more or less officially adopted as such around 1922.

However the Legion's attachment to unit pets or companion animals dates back almost to its foundation. In fact, the first mention of a pet animal casualty in combat, comes after the ambush suffered by the Legion (and Regulares) convoy of Sidi-Hamed on 8th of August 1921. In the casualty report of the combat, the only fatal casualty mentioned on the spanish side was the little dog of the convoy.

 

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