IRON SPEAR COMPETITION
The Spanish tracked vehicles provide
great mobility, protection and firepower
to the battalion. As established by the
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers
Europe (SHAPE), they are the most
appropriate units to deal with a potential
threat in this scenario, based mainly on
similar means and capabilities.
The recognition and prestige of the
Spanish armoured vehicles was once
again highlighted last April in exercise
Iron Spear 2020, a shooting competition
held at Adazi training grounds. The
Spaniards took the first three places
in the battle tank competition and
came first in the armoured vehicle
competition.
Unlike previous years, this time
the coronavirus crisis prevented the
participation of personnel serving in
other battalions deployed in Lithuania,
Poland and Estonia. Battle tanks had
to take down a set of fixed targets in the
shortest possible time in competitions
in day and night time conditions. In the
battle tank competition, the Leopards
from the 10th Regiment Córdoba came
first, ahead of the Polish PT-91s fitted
with automatic reloading.
The Spanish Pizarro armoured
vehicles did the same in their category,
ahead of the Slovak BMPs, the
Canadian LAVs and Coyotes, and the
Latvian Cimitars.
AIR POLICING
Spain also contributes to the air security
of Europe’s eastern flank. The six F-18
fighters and the 132 personnel of the
Vilkas detachment have completed their
first month at Siauliai air base in Lithuania,
where they lead the air policing mission
that NATO has maintained since 2004
to preserve the integrity of the Estonian,
Latvian and Lithuanian airspace, mainly
against the Russian threat.
Aircraft occasionally operate with eFP
battalions on air support missions. In mid-
May, German and Norwegian troops
from the Lithuanian Battle Group were
trained with Spanish and British pilots to
improve procedures. Spanish Air Force
F-18s and Royal Air Force Eurofighters
participated in various exercises with
Joint Terminal Attack Controllers
(JTACs), specialists who direct fighter
aircraft to targets on the ground.
Victor Hernández
Photos: EMAD
The Spanish Air
Force deploys
six F-18 fighter
aircraft to
Lithuania
August 2020 Revista Española de Defensa 39