Spanish forces are currently deployed in Romania, assisting in missions following a surge of Russian attacks near the Romanian border with Ukraine.
150 Spanish Army Personnel
As part of NATO’s strategy to bolster defenses against increasing Russian aggression, these forces play a vital role in maintaining security in Eastern Europe.
A detachment from the Spanish Air and Space Army consists of around 150 personnel, including units from the 12th Wing (Torrejón de Ardoz) and the 15th Wing (Zaragoza).
This contingent is equipped with eight F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets, four of which are on permanent alert., according to Ziare.
The F/A-18 Hornet, a versatile multirole combat aircraft, features twin-engine capabilities and can perform a range of missions, including air-to-air combat and ground attack.
With a maximum speed of approximately 1,190 mph (1,915 km/h) and a combat radius of around 450 nautical miles (about 833 kilometers), these aircraft are well-suited for rapid response scenarios.
Joint Patrols Along the Border
The primary mission of the Spanish military personnel is to assist the Romanian Air Force in monitoring its airspace during a critical transition period.
Romania is currently modernizing its fleet, moving away from outdated Soviet-era fighter jets to newer, more advanced aircraft. The presence of the Spanish F-18s helps maintain vigilance against routine incursions by Russian military aircraft.
This week, the Spanish F-18s were activated multiple times due to a spike in Russian drone attacks targeting Ukraine’s Odesa region, which borders Romania.
The first activation occurred during a drone assault on Izmail, a border city along the Danube River.
Two Romanian F-16s and two Spanish F-18s conducted joint patrols to establish a surveillance zone and prevent any Russian drones from entering Romanian airspace.
