2816 Spanish military and Civil Guards deployed abroad
(B2) In the latest assessment drawn up by the Ministry of Defence, 2.816 soldiers and civil guards are deployed in 16 external operations under the flag of the European Union, NATO, the UN or on a multilateral basis.
Under the flag of the European Union, the Spaniards are thus present in Mali (EUTM Mali), in Somalia (EUTM Somalia), in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA), in Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR Althea), on the Somali coast against piracy (EUNAVFOR Atalanta) and in the Mediterranean against human trafficking (EUNAVFOR Med / Sophia).
Two air support detachments are present in Senegal and Gabon to support the French operation Barkhane in the Sahel region. It should also be noted that the Spanish Guardia Civil led the European Union's GAR-SI Sahel project with the aim of creating gendarmerie units in the G5 Sahel countries (Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and Niger) and in Senegal.
Under the NATO flag, Spain is part of a multinational battalion in Latvia as part of the Enhanced Forward Presence in Eastern Europe (EFP), contributes to the mission Resolute Support in Afghanistan, and still maintains a Patriot battery in Türkiye. Despite the procrastination, Madrid has indeed announced at the last meeting of NATO Defense Ministers to maintain this presence. At the maritime level, the Armada provides a submarine to the operation Sea Guardian in the Mediterranean and a frigate is integrated into the Allied Permanent Naval Forces in the North Atlantic. Engaged in the coalition against Daesh, Spanish soldiers also participate in the training of Iraqi security forces.
Spain also contributes to the UN missions with a large contingent of blue helmets in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and a group of observers of the peace agreements concluded with the rebel armed groups in Colombia.
(NGV)
