The Kingdom of Spain, one of the largest countries in the European continent, with an area of ​​504,782 km 2 , has a population at the end of 2016 of about 46 million people.
Spain is a party to major world and European treaties in the military sphere.
United Nations
The United Nations was created in 1945 to prevent future wars and avoid the mistakes of two previous world wars.
Spain joined the organization on December 14, 1955, and since 1989 has been participating in numerous peacekeeping operations led by the UN. Thus, the Spanish army is currently participating in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
Founded in 1975 under the name “Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe” as a multilateral forum for dialogue and contacts between East and West.
Currently, 57 states are participating in it, including the USA, Canada and the former Soviet republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Spain has been part of the OSCE since its founding, and its participation has focused on finding solutions to promote the proper functioning of the arms control system.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
It dates back to the signing of the Washington Treaty of 1949, according to which the twelve countries on both sides of the Atlantic pledged to protect each other in case of aggression against any of them.
Currently, 28 member countries, 22 cooperation partners in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (CAEA), seven in the Mediterranean Dialogue, four countries participating in the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICE) and eight partners around the world are participating in the agreement.
Spain became the 16th NATO member on May 30, 1982, and on March 20, 1986, after a referendum, began its participation in all committees and working groups, with the exception of the military structure.
The full incorporation of the Spanish army into the united military structure took place on January 1, 1999.
The armed forces of Spain retain their presence in the operations of Ocean Shield, Resolute Support, Active Endeavor, Air Police in the Baltic States and in the air defense of Turkey.
European Union (EU)
Spain joined the EU on January 1, 1986. Currently, the Union consists of 28 states.
The EU has established more than 20 missions of a civil, military or mixed nature, in which the participation of the Spanish army was fundamental.
Spain currently works with EUFOR Althea, Atalanta, EUTM Somalia, EUCAP Nestor, Mali support, EUTM Mali and RCA support.
In addition, Spain is participating in the Satellite Communications Center (SATCEN) at the TorrejĂłn de Ardoz in Madrid, which supports the implementation of EU decisions on conflict prevention, crisis management and humanitarian assistance in the event of disasters.
In addition, the participation of Spain plays an important role in military formations. They are the European Union Rapid Response Force for responding to military threats within ten days of the decision of the EU Council.
Finally, Spain is actively involved in the European Defense Agency (EDA), which promotes international arms relations.
Defense Policy of the Kingdom of Spain
Defense policy defines the goals of national defense and the resources and actions necessary to obtain them.
These goals are defined in the National Defense Directive, which is the basis for national defense and military defense planning.
Spain's security policy is integrated into the international context through its presence in international organizations, participation in peacekeeping operations and its relationship with various treaties.
The document, approved in May 2013, defines the concept of national security as the actions of the state aimed at protecting the freedom and welfare of its citizens, guarantees the protection of Spain, its principles and constitutional values.
It also includes the contribution of the Kingdom of Spain, together with partners and allies, to international security, in fulfilling its obligations.
The national security strategy is formulated in five chapters, which talk about the security of Spain in the world, and determine the current risks and threats.
The strategy addresses the following threats:
- armed conflicts;
- terrorism;
- cyber threats;
- organized crime;
- economic and financial instability;
- energy vulnerability
- unregulated migration flows;
- weapons of mass destruction;
- espionage;
- emergencies and natural disasters,
- vulnerability of sea space and critical infrastructures.
To address new challenges, a National Security Council has been created, which is responsible for managing risks and crises that affect national interests and preventing them.
The council acts as a collegial body chaired by the government, unless the king attends its meetings.
It involves various ministries, not just those affected by national defense, such as ministries of the interior, defense or foreign affairs, but also others, such as development or industry, because of the importance of communications and infrastructures in the event of national anxiety.
Its functions include the promotion and enforcement of the National Security Strategy, the approval of the annual security report, and the planning and coordination of security policies.
The size and structure of the Armed Forces of Spain
According to various estimates, the Spanish army has up to 150,000 troops. The army since 2001 is fully professional.
Head of the Ministry of Defense of Spain since 2016, Maria Dolores de Cospedal GarcĂa (MarĂa Dolores de Cospedal GarcĂa).
The commander in chief of the Spanish army is King Philip VI of Spain.
Emblem of the Armed Forces of Spain:
Structure of the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Spain
The Spanish Armed Forces consists of three main units:
- Air Force.
- Ground troops.
- Naval forces.
Air Force
The mission of the Spanish Air Force is to protect the airspace, as well as maintaining international security in peacekeeping operations and humanitarian assistance.
They were founded at the beginning of the 20th century. Headquartered in Madrid, Moncloa, on Romero Robledo Street.
Currently, aerospace power is a fundamental pillar of security and defense, which requires constant monitoring of airspace.
In addition, the privileged strategic position of Spain allows you to influence the air links with North and South America, as well as Africa and Europe.
The Spanish Air Force under the command of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (JEMA) is structured into headquarters, supporting the Air Force and directly to the Air Force itself.
This structure ensures the proper training of the Air Force, the implementation of command and leadership, as well as the management, administration, coordination and control of all designated activities and resources.
The headquarters of the Air Force consists of a set of bodies that provide the human and material resources necessary to assist the chief of staff in the implementation of the command of the Air Force.
The Air Force is a set of human and material resources that are grouped and organized with the main task of preparing for military operations and, as appropriate, fulfilling the functions assigned to it.
Within its framework, training and evaluation of units is carried out, as well as training of its personnel.
The Air Force support structure is a set of bodies responsible for directing, managing, administering and controlling human, material and financial resources.
Ground troops
The Ground Forces of Spain is a branch of the Armed Forces, which is one of the oldest armies in the world, since it was created in the fifteenth century.
The headquarters is located in the Buenavista Palace in Madrid.
This branch of the Armed Forces has experienced the most changes since Spain joined NATO in 1982.
In 2016, the number of ground troops will be reduced to 70,000, of which 20,000 will be the commanding staff and 50,000 troops.
Ground forces are structured as follows:
- Chief of Staff of the Army.
- Army Headquarters - Ground Forces - auxiliary units.
- Rapid Response Force Headquarters - Rapid Reaction Forces - A division of the Rapid Reaction Forces in the Canary Islands - Support and Logistics Services.
Kingdom of the Navy of Spain
The Navy is responsible for protecting national and international maritime spaces, with its partners and allies.
They were created at the end of the 15th century. One of the largest naval operations in which the Spanish Navy participated was the Spanish-American War. The war was in 1898. According to the results of the Spanish-American war, the United States captured the former colonies of the Kingdom of Spain - Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Cuba.
The headquarters of the modern Navy is located on the Paseo del Prado in Madrid.
The main bases are in Rota, Ferrol, San Fernando, Cartagena and Las Palmas de Gran Canarias.
The basic structure of the Navy is determined by order of DEF / 1642/2015 of July 30, 2015 and is as follows:
- The headquarters of the Navy (CGA).
- Navy personnel (EMA).
- The office of the admiral of the chief of staff of the Navy.
- Head of General Services, Technical Assistance, and Information Systems and Telecommunications (JESACIS).
- Authority of History and Marine Culture (OHYCN).
- Legal consultation of the General Staff of the Navy.
- The central intervention of the delegate in the Navy.
- Central Maritime Court.
The headquarters of the Navy, located in Madrid, is a set of bodies necessary to assist the chief of staff in the implementation of command of the Navy.
The fleet was defined as the main core of the Navy, consisting of a set of surface ships, submarines, aircraft, naval infantry, training centers and naval installations on land by order of the Fleet Admiral (ALFLOT).
The fleet is the main element of naval power for military operations in any geographical situation and is ready to contribute to the joint actions of the armed forces.
The combat potential of the fleet consists of surface ships and submarines, a minefield unit, air units, units of a special naval combat and command agency afloat.
Together with the Marines, which provide the Navy with the ability to control the naval forces over land, protection, freedom of action, operational logistics and special capabilities of the naval warfare.
Fleet Commander is a full-time soldier with the rank of Fleet Admiral (ALFLOT), who works under the direct supervision of the Admiral, Navy Chief of Staff (AJEMA).