Meeting between the Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles, and the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone
Spain continues to play a key role in NATO's air defence architecture, consolidating its position as a reliable ally committed to Euro-Atlantic collective security.
"Through the contribution of advanced capabilities, highly qualified personnel, and active participation in allied missions and operations, Spain makes a decisive contribution to the surveillance, deterrence, and protection of allied airspace", said Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles.
This was conveyed to the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, who is visiting Spain. The meeting was attended by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral General Teodoro López Calderón, and the Secretary General for Defence Policy, Admiral Juan Francisco Martínez Núñez.
The Spanish Armed Forces regularly participate in enhanced air policing deployments, joint exercises, and permanent command and control structures, strengthening interoperability and joint response to potential threats. These capabilities improve early detection, tracking, and protection of shared airspace.
In addition to the swift response to allied air and missile defence needs, the contribution of Spanish ground forces to deterrence and forward presence across the entire eastern flank is noteworthy, with Spain commanding the Battlegroup in Slovakia, as well as its naval deployments, commanding NATO's Standing Maritime Group 1 in the Baltic Sea.
Spain's contribution reflects its firm commitment to the principles of solidarity, shared responsibility, and collective defence enshrined in the North Atlantic Treaty. In an increasingly complex international security context, Spain reaffirms its commitment to continue actively contributing to the security and stability of its allies, as well as to the peace and defence of the Euro-Atlantic region.
The minister said that "there are no debates or speeches that can overshadow Spain's commitment and reliability in terms of NATO, because our commitment is robust".
Robles insisted that "we have an enviable Armed Forces, with a preparation and seriousness that are praised wherever they go, and whose work serves as an example and model for other countries".
Non official translation