Spanish Armed Forces: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by Ajay Kumar
Last edited February 10, 2026
VisualWikitext
Created a new article
 
Page updated with relevant improvements
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Combined military forces of the Kingdom of Spain}}
{{Short description|Combined military forces of Spain}}
{{Infobox national military
{{Infobox national military
| name              = Spanish Armed Forces
| name              = Spanish Armed Forces
Line 5: Line 5:
| image              = Emblem of the Spanish Armed Forces.svg
| image              = Emblem of the Spanish Armed Forces.svg
| alt                =  
| alt                =  
| caption            = Badge of the Spanish Armed Forces
| caption            = [[Armorial of the Spanish Armed Forces|Emblem of the Spanish Armed Forces]]
| image2            =  
| image2            =  
| alt2              =  
| alt2              =  
| caption2          =  
| caption2          =  
| motto              =  
| motto              =  
| founded            = 15th century
| founded            = 20 January 1479<br>({{age in years and days|1479|1|20}})
| current_form      = 1978
| disbanded          =  
| disbanded          =  
| branches          = {{tree list}}
| branches          = {{tree list}}
*[[File:Emblem of the Spanish Army.svg|25px]] [[Spanish Army]]
*[[File:Emblem of the Spanish Army.svg|25px]] [[Spanish Army|Army]]
**[[File:Emblem of the Spanish Legion.svg|25px]] [[Spanish Legion]]
**[[File:Emblem of the Spanish Legion.svg|25px]] [[Spanish Legion]]
*[[File:Emblem of the Spanish Navy.svg|25px]] [[Spanish Navy]]
*[[File:Emblem of the Spanish Navy.svg|25px]] [[Spanish Navy|Navy]]
**[[File:Emblem of the Spanish Navy Marines.svg|25px]] [[Spanish Marine Infantry]]
**[[File:Emblema de la Infantería de Marina.svg|25px]] [[Spanish Marine Infantry|Marine Infantry]]
*[[File:Emblem of the Spanish Air Force.svg|25px]] [[Spanish Air and Space Force]]
*[[File:Emblem of the Spanish Air Force.svg|60px]] [[Spanish Air and Space Force|Air and Space Force]]
*[[File:Emblem of the Spanish Royal Guard.svg|25px]] [[Spanish Royal Guard|Royal Guard]]
*[[File:Emblem of the Spanish Royal Guard.svg|25px]] [[Spanish Royal Guard|Royal Guard]]
*[[File:Coat of Arms of the UME.svg|25px]] [[Military Emergencies Unit]]
*[[File:Coat of Arms of the UME.svg|25px]] [[Military Emergencies Unit]]
Line 32: Line 31:
| minister          = {{flagicon image|Spanish Presidential Flag.svg}} [[Margarita Robles]]
| minister          = {{flagicon image|Spanish Presidential Flag.svg}} [[Margarita Robles]]
| minister_title    = [[List of Ministers of Defence (Spain)|Minister of Defence]]
| minister_title    = [[List of Ministers of Defence (Spain)|Minister of Defence]]
| commander          = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Chief of the Defence Staff (Spain).svg}} {{nowrap|[[Admiral General (Spain)|Admiral General]]<br/>[[Teodoro Esteban López Calderón]]}}
| commander          = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Chief of the Defence Staff (Spain).svg}} {{nowrap|[[Admiral General (Spain)|Admiral General]]<br>[[Teodoro Esteban López Calderón]]}}
| commander_title    = [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Spain)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]
| commander_title    = [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Spain)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]
<!-- Manpower -->
<!-- Manpower -->
Line 45: Line 44:
| reaching          =  
| reaching          =  
| reaching_f        =  
| reaching_f        =  
| active            = 133,282 (2021)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Real Decreto 177/2021, de 23 de marzo, por el que se modifica el Reglamento de retribuciones del personal de las Fuerzas Armadas, aprobado por el Real Decreto 1314/2005, de 4 de noviembre.|url=https://boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2021-4571|access-date=2021-03-24|website=boe.es}}</ref><br />78,469 [[Civil Guard (Spain)|Civil Guards]] (only in wartime) (2020)<ref>{{Cite web|last=López-Fonseca|first=Óscar|date=2020-03-07|title=Interior aumenta en 3.800 el número de policías y guardias civiles en dos años|url=https://elpais.com/espana/2020-03-07/interior-aumenta-en-3800-el-numero-de-policias-y-guardias-civiles-en-dos-anos.html|access-date=2021-01-06|website=EL PAÍS|language=es}}</ref>
| active            = 121,802 (2023)  
| ranked            =  
| ranked            =  
| reserve            = 15,150 (2019){{sfn|IISS|2020|p=145}}
| reserve            = 24,033 (2023)
| deployed          =  
| deployed          =  
<!-- Financial -->
<!-- Financial -->
| amount            = €18.6 billion {{small|(2022)}}<br>(US$ 20.3 billion)<ref name="SIPRI-2022">{{cite web |date=April 2023 |title=Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2022 |url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/2304_fs_milex_2022.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622081913/https://www.sipri.org/publications/2023/sipri-fact-sheets/trends-world-military-expenditure-2022 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |access-date=7 July 2023 |publisher=[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]]}}</ref>
| amount            = €33.123 billion {{small|(2025)}} <ref>{{cite web | title=OTAN: España sigue a la cola de inversión en defensa, pese a llegar al 2%, pero gasta más que la media en armamento | url=https://www.infodefensa.com/texto-diario/mostrar/5408103/otan-espana-sigue-cola-inversion-defensa-pese-llegar-2-pero-gasta-media-armamento }}</ref>
| percent_GDP        = 1.5% (2022)<ref name="SIPRI-2022"/>
| percent_GDP        = 2% (2025)
<!-- Industrial -->
<!-- Industrial -->
| domestic_suppliers = [[Airbus]]<br> [[Santa Bárbara Sistemas|Santa Bárbara]]<br> [[Navantia]]<br> [[Indra Sistemas|Indra]]<br> [[Gamesa Corporación Tecnológica|Gamesa]]<br> [[Abengoa]]<br> [[Instalaza]]<br> [[UROVESA]]
| domestic_suppliers = [[Airbus]]<br> [[Santa Bárbara Sistemas|Santa Bárbara]]<br> [[Navantia]]<br> [[Indra Sistemas|Indra]]<br> [[Gamesa Corporación Tecnológica|Gamesa]]<br> [[Abengoa]]<br> [[Instalaza]]<br> [[UROVESA]]
| foreign_suppliers  = {{FRA}}<br>{{GER}}<br>{{ITA}}<br>{{UK}}<br>{{USA}}
| foreign_suppliers  = {{flag|France}}<br>{{flag|Germany}}<br>{{flag|United States}}<br>{{flag|Switzerland}}<br>{{flag|Canada}}
| imports            =  
| imports            = {{currency|112 million|USD|passthrough=yes|linked=no}} (2014–2022)<ref name="SIPRI_Spain"/>
| exports            = [[€]]4.174 billion<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensa.gob.es/Galerias/areasTematicas/investigacionDesarrollo/fichero/Informe-Industria-Defensa-2012.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-02-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217021010/http://www.defensa.gob.es/Galerias/areasTematicas/investigacionDesarrollo/fichero/Informe-Industria-Defensa-2012.pdf |archive-date=2015-02-17 |language=es}}</ref> (2010)
| exports            = {{currency|752 million|USD|passthrough=yes|linked=no}} (2014–2022)<ref name="SIPRI_Spain">{{cite web|url=https://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/values.php|title=TIV of arms imports/exports data for Spain, 2014-2022|date=30 January 2024|work=[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]]}}</ref>
<!-- Related articles -->
<!-- Related articles -->
| history            = [[Military history of Spain]]
| history            = [[Military history of Spain]]<br>[[:Category:Wars involving Spain|Warfare directory of Spain]]<br>[[List of wars involving Spain|Wars involving Spain]]<br>[[:Category:Battles involving Spain|Battles involving Spain]]
| ranks              = [[Military ranks of Spain]]
| ranks              = [[Military ranks of Spain]]
}}
}}
Line 64: Line 63:
The '''Spanish Armed Forces''' are in charge of guaranteeing the sovereignty and independence of the [[Spain|Kingdom of Spain]], defending its territorial integrity and the constitutional order, according to the functions entrusted to them by the [[Spanish Constitution of 1978|Constitution of 1978]]. They are composed of: the [[Spanish Army|Army]], the [[Spanish Air and Space Force|Air and Space Force]], the [[Spanish Navy|Navy]], the [[Spanish Royal Guard|Royal Guard]], and the [[Military Emergencies Unit]], as well as the so-called [[Common Corps of the Spanish Armed Forces|Common Corps]].
The '''Spanish Armed Forces''' are in charge of guaranteeing the sovereignty and independence of the [[Spain|Kingdom of Spain]], defending its territorial integrity and the constitutional order, according to the functions entrusted to them by the [[Spanish Constitution of 1978|Constitution of 1978]]. They are composed of: the [[Spanish Army|Army]], the [[Spanish Air and Space Force|Air and Space Force]], the [[Spanish Navy|Navy]], the [[Spanish Royal Guard|Royal Guard]], and the [[Military Emergencies Unit]], as well as the so-called [[Common Corps of the Spanish Armed Forces|Common Corps]].


Spain is one of the most militarily powerful nations of the European Union ([[Military operations of the European Union|EUFOR]]) and [[Eurocorps]]. It also occupies a prominent position in the structure of [[NATO]], which it joined in 1982. It also has the oldest [[Spanish Marine Infantry|Marine Infantry]] in the world and the oldest permanent military units in the world: the ''[[Infantry Regiment "Inmemorial del Rey" No. 1]]'' and the ''[[Infantry Regiment "Soria" No. 9]]''.
Spain occupies a prominent position in the structure of [[NATO]], which it joined in 1982. Nevertheless, it spends less than the minimum of 2% of GDP on defence recommended by NATO.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gardner |first=Frank |date=2026-02-10 |title=Munich Security Conference: Trump’s world order hangs over Europe |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrzjv1kykxo |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
 
Spain has the oldest [[Spanish Marine Infantry|Marine Infantry]] in the world and the oldest permanent military units in the world: the ''[[Infantry Regiment "Inmemorial del Rey" No. 1]]'' and the ''[[Infantry Regiment "Soria" No. 9]]''.


==History==
==History==
{{main|Military history of Spain}}
{{main|Military history of Spain}}


After the long [[Reconquista]] ending in 1492, Spain evolved into Europe's foremost power with the voyages of [[Christopher Columbus]] the same year, leading to Spain acquiring vast lands in the Americas and conquering a number of overseas civilizations in the decades to come. The period of reconquest of Iberia had ended, and now Spain entered an era of overseas conquest spearheaded by [[conquistadors]]. The [[conquest of the Aztec Empire]], the [[conquest of the Inca Empire]] and the conquest of the [[Philippines]] ensued propelling Spain to the foremost military superpower of the time. Spain was also victorious over the French in the [[Italian Wars]], annexing southern Italy. During the reign of Charles V and Philip II, Spain reached the peak of its power with the [[Spanish Empire]] spanning 19.4 million square km of the earth's surface, a total of 13% being the first empire which the sun never sets. By the mid 17th century Spain had been militarily weakened by the [[Thirty Years War]], the [[Eighty Years War]] along with financial problems, and the lack of reforms, though still holding firm to the bulk of the [[American Continent]].
After the long [[Reconquista]] ending in 1492, Spain evolved into Europe's foremost power with the voyages of [[Christopher Columbus]] the same year, leading to Spain acquiring vast lands in the Americas and conquering a number of overseas civilizations in the decades to come. The period of reconquest of Iberia had ended, and now Spain entered an era of overseas conquest spearheaded by [[conquistadors]]. The [[conquest of the Aztec Empire]], the [[conquest of the Inca Empire]] and the conquest of the [[Philippines]] ensued propelling Spain to the foremost military superpower of the time. Spain was also victorious over the French in the [[Italian Wars]], annexing southern Italy. During the reign of Charles V and Philip II, Spain reached the peak of its power with the [[Spanish Empire]] spanning 19.4 million square km of the Earth's surface, a total of 13% being the first empire which the Sun never sets. By the mid 17th century Spain had been militarily weakened by the [[Thirty Years War]], the [[Eighty Years War]] along with financial problems, and the lack of reforms, though still holding firm to the bulk of the [[American Continent]].


During the 18th century the new [[Bourbon dynasty]] revived Spain's economic and military power through a series of important reforms in the armed forces and the economy, notably those of Charles III of Spain. Thanks to these reforms, Spain performed well during the war of [[War of Jenkins' Ear|Jenkins' Ear]] defending overseas territory, won the war of [[War of the Austrian Succession|Austrian Succession]] but had mixed result during the Seven Years' War. Spain had also led successful campaigns in the [[American Revolutionary War]]. Spain had recovered considerably by the outbreak of the French Revolution, by 1790, the [[Spanish Empire]] was the largest empire in the world. The occupation of a great part of Spain by the French during the [[Napoleonic Wars]] resulted in [[Peninsular War]], which was characterized by use on a large scale of guerrilla troops, made necessary by the war's devastating effect on the Spanish economy. Although victorious in the Peninsular War over Napoleonic France, the Spanish military was in poor condition and political instability resulted in the loss of most of Spain's former colonies, who had rebelled against Spanish rule in the [[Spanish-American War for Independence]], except Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. These too would be lost later in the [[Spanish–American War]].
During the 18th century the new [[Bourbon dynasty]] revived Spain's economic and military power through a series of important reforms in the armed forces and the economy, notably those of Charles III of Spain. Thanks to these reforms, Spain performed well during the war of [[War of Jenkins' Ear|Jenkins' Ear]] defending overseas territory, won the war of [[War of the Austrian Succession|Austrian Succession]] but had mixed result during the Seven Years' War. Spain had also led successful campaigns in the [[American Revolutionary War]]. Spain had recovered considerably by the outbreak of the French Revolution, by 1790, the [[Spanish Empire]] was the largest empire in the world. The occupation of a great part of Spain by the French during the [[Napoleonic Wars]] resulted in [[Peninsular War]], which was characterized by use on a large scale of guerrilla troops, made necessary by the war's devastating effect on the Spanish economy. Although victorious in the Peninsular War over Napoleonic France, the Spanish military was in poor condition and political instability resulted in the loss of most of Spain's former colonies, who had rebelled against Spanish rule in the [[Spanish American wars of independence]], except Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. These too would be lost later in the [[Spanish–American War]].


In the 20th century, the Spanish armed forces did not intervene in the [[First World War]] ([[Spain during World War I|neutrality]]) or in the [[Second World War]] ([[Spain during World War II|no active belligerence]]), although they did intervene in the [[Spanish Civil War]] and in some colonial conflicts. After the arrival of democracy in 1978, they underwent a strong modernization process, becoming modern armed forces. In 1982 Spain entered [[NATO]].
In the 20th century, the Spanish armed forces did not intervene in the [[First World War]] ([[Spain during World War I|neutrality]]) or in the [[Second World War]] ([[Spain during World War II|non-belligerent]]), although they did intervene in the [[Spanish Civil War]] and in some colonial conflicts. After the arrival of democracy in 1978, they underwent a strong modernization process, becoming modern armed forces. In 1982 Spain entered [[NATO]].


Recently, in the last decades of the 20th century and the first decades of the 21st, Spanish troops have participated together with their Western allies in operations such as [[Gulf War]], [[NATO bombing of Yugoslavia]], [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]], [[War on terror]], [[2011 military intervention in Libya]], [[Combined Task Force 150]] or [[UNIFIL]], to name a few examples.
Recently, in the last decades of the 20th century and the first decades of the 21st, Spanish troops have participated together with their Western allies in operations such as [[Gulf War]], [[NATO bombing of Yugoslavia]], [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]], [[war on terror]], [[2011 military intervention in Libya]], [[Combined Task Force 150]] and [[UNIFIL]].


===Today===
===Today===
Line 90: Line 91:


*'''Missions with the European Union'''
*'''Missions with the European Union'''
**[[EUTM Mali]] (2013–present): Advisory mission in the security and training sector of the Malian National Army. 130 deployed military personnel.
**[[EUTM Mali]] (2013–2024): Advisory mission in the security and training sector of the Malian National Army. 130 deployed military personnel.
**[[Central African Republic|EUTM CAR]] (2016–present): Training mission of the Armed Forces of the Government of the Central African Republic. The [[Eurocorps]] is in charge of carrying out this mission. 19 military deployed.
**[[Central African Republic|EUTM CAR]] (2016–present): Training mission of the Armed Forces of the Government of the Central African Republic. The [[Eurocorps]] is in charge of carrying out this mission. 19 military deployed.
**[[EUTM Somalia|EUTM SOMALIA]] (2010–present): Training mission of the Somali Armed Forces, with the cooperation of the [[UN]] and the [[African Union]]. 16 military deployed.
**[[EUTM Somalia|EUTM SOMALIA]] (2010–present): Training mission of the Somali Armed Forces, with the cooperation of the [[UN]] and the [[African Union]]. 16 military deployed.
Line 108: Line 109:
** [[Inherent Resolve|INHERENT RESOLVE]] (2015–present): Training mission of Iraqi forces to fight the [[Daesh]]. 463 soldiers and civil guards deployed.
** [[Inherent Resolve|INHERENT RESOLVE]] (2015–present): Training mission of Iraqi forces to fight the [[Daesh]]. 463 soldiers and civil guards deployed.
*'''Security cooperation with France'''
*'''Security cooperation with France'''
**Support for Mali-Senegal (2013–present): Military support to France to facilitate air transport of French and EU operations in Mali and [[Sahel]]. 61 military deployed.
**Support for Mali-Senegal (2013–2022): Military support to France to facilitate air transport of French and EU operations in Mali and [[Sahel]]. 61 military deployed.
**Support for the Central African Republic (2013–present): Military support for France and the EU to facilitate air transport in its operations. 45 military deployed.
**Support for the Central African Republic (2013–present): Military support for France and the EU to facilitate air transport in its operations. 45 military deployed.
* '''National missions of cooperation with Senegal and Cape Verde'''
* '''National missions of cooperation with Senegal and Cape Verde'''
Line 129: Line 130:
}}
}}


The [[Commander-in-chief#Spain|commander in chief]] of the Armed Forces is the [[King of Spain]]; with the ''[[ex officio]]'' rank of ''[[Captain general#Spain|Capitán General]]'' in the Army, Navy and Air and Space Force. The [[Spanish Constitution of 1978]] states in article 62(h) that the King of Spain shall have "supreme command of the Armed Forces"; however under article 64, all official acts of the King must be [[countersignature|countersigned]] by the President of the Government (or other competent minister) to become valid.
The [[Commander-in-chief#Spain|commander-in-chief]] of the Armed Forces is the [[Monarchy of Spain|Monarch]]; with the ''[[ex officio]]'' rank of [[Captain general#Spain|Captain General]] in the [[Captain general of the Army|Army]], [[Captain general of the Navy|Navy]] and [[Captain general of the Air Force|Air and Space Force]]. The [[Spanish Constitution of 1978]] states in article 62(h) that the King of Spain shall have "supreme command of the Armed Forces"; however under article 64, all official acts of the Monarch must be [[countersignature|countersigned]] by the President of the Government (or other competent minister) to become valid.


The [[President of the Government (Spain)|President of the Government]] (also known as ''Prime Minister'' in English translations), as the [[head of government]], is responsible under article 97 for "domestic and foreign policy, civil and military administration and the defense of the State", and thus bears the ultimate responsibility before the [[Cortes Generales]], and the Spanish electorate.
The [[President of the Government (Spain)|President of the Government]] (also known as ''Prime Minister'' in English translations), as the [[head of government]], is responsible under article 97 for "domestic and foreign policy, civil and military administration and the defense of the State", and thus bears the ultimate responsibility before the [[Cortes Generales]], and the Spanish electorate.


The Minister of defense is in charge of running the [[Ministry of Defence (Spain)|Ministry of defense]], which carries out the day-to-day administration of the forces. The President of the Government and the Minister of defense are [[Civilian control of the military|civilians]]. No provision in the Constitution requires the Government to seek approval from the Cortes Generales before sending the armed forces abroad.
The Minister of Defense is in charge of running the [[Ministry of Defence (Spain)|Ministry of Defense]], which carries out the day-to-day administration of the forces. The President of the Government and the Minister of Defense are [[Civilian control of the military|civilians]]. No provision in the Constitution requires the Government to seek approval from the Cortes Generales before sending the armed forces abroad.


The [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Spain)|Chief of the Defense Staff]] directs the [[Defence Staff (Spain)|Defense Staff]] and is the senior military advisor to the Minister and the Government. The military leadership of the three military services are: the [[Chief of Staff of the Army (Spain)|Chief of Staff of the Army]], the [[Chief of Staff of the Air Force (Spain)|Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force]] and the [[Chief of Staff of the Navy (Spain)|Chief of Staff of the Navy]].
The [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Spain)|Chief of the Defense Staff]] directs the [[Defence Staff (Spain)|Defense Staff]] and is the senior military advisor to the Minister and the Government. The military leadership of the three military services are: the [[Chief of Staff of the Army (Spain)|Chief of Staff of the Army]], the [[Chief of Staff of the Air Force (Spain)|Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force]] and the [[Chief of Staff of the Navy (Spain)|Chief of Staff of the Navy]].


The structure, and incumbents {{As of|2021|lc=y}}, are:
The structure, and incumbents {{As of|2025|lc=y}}, are:


# [[File:Coat of Arms of Spanish Monarch.svg|20px]] [[Commander in chief|Commander in Chief]]: [[Capitán General]] of the Armed Forces the [[King of Spain]], [[Felipe VI]].
# [[File:Coat of Arms of Spanish Monarch.svg|20px]] [[Commander in chief|Commander in Chief]]: [[Monarchy of Spain|King]] [[Felipe VI]], [[Captain general#Spain|Captain General]] of the Armed Forces
# [[File:Escudo de España (mazonado).svg|20px]] [[President of the Government (Spain)|President of the Government]]: The President [[Pedro Sánchez (politician)|Pedro Sánchez]].
# [[File:Escudo de España (mazonado).svg|20px]] [[President of the Government (Spain)|President of the Government]]: [[Pedro Sánchez (politician)|Pedro Sánchez]].
# [[File:Escudo de España (mazonado).svg|20px]] [[List of Ministers of Defence (Spain)|Minister of Defence]]: [[Margarita Robles]].
# [[File:Escudo de España (mazonado).svg|20px]] [[List of Ministers of Defence (Spain)|Minister of Defence]]: [[Margarita Robles]].
# [[File:Coat of Arms of the Spanish Defence Staff-EMAD.svg|20px]] [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Spain)|Chief of the defense Staff]]: [[Admiral general (Spain)|Admiral General]] [[Teodoro E. López Calderón]].
# [[File:Coat of Arms of the Spanish Defence Staff-EMAD.svg|20px]] [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Spain)|Chief of the Defense Staff]]: [[Admiral general (Spain)|Admiral General]] [[Teodoro E. López Calderón]].
# The Chiefs of Staff of the branches:
# The Chiefs of Staff of the branches:
#: [[File:Coat of Arms of the General Staff of the Spanish Army.svg|20px]] [[Chief of Staff of the Army (Spain)|Chief of Staff of the Army]]: [[Army General]] [[Amador Fernando Enseñat y Berea]].
#: [[File:Coat of Arms of the General Staff of the Spanish Army.svg|20px]] [[Chief of Staff of the Army (Spain)|Chief of Staff of the Army]]: [[General of the Army (Spain)|Army General]] [[Amador Fernando Enseñat y Berea]].
#: [[File:Emblem of the Military staff of the Spanish Navy.svg|20px]] [[Chief of Staff of the Navy (Spain)|Chief of Staff of the Navy]]: [[Admiral general (Spain)|Admiral General]] [[Antonio Martorell Lacave]].
#: [[File:Emblem of the Military staff of the Spanish Navy.svg|20px]] [[Chief of Staff of the Navy (Spain)|Chief of Staff of the Navy]]: [[Admiral general (Spain)|Admiral General]] [[Antonio Piñeiro Sánchez]].
#: [[File:Emblem of the Military staff of the Spanish Air Force.svg|20px]] [[Chief of Staff of the Air Force (Spain)|Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force]]: [[General officer|Air and Space General]] [[Javier Salto Martínez-Avial]].
#: [[File:Emblem of the Military staff of the Spanish Air Force.svg|20px]] [[Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force (Spain)|Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force]]: [[General of the Air (Spain)|Air General]] [[Francisco Braco Carbó]].


==Branches==
==Branches==
The Spanish armed forces are a professional force with a strength in 2017 of 121,900 active personnel and 4,770 reserve personnel. The country also has the 77,000 strong [[Civil Guard (Spain)|Civil Guard]] which comes under the control of the Ministry of defense in times of a national emergency. The Spanish defense budget is 5.71 billion euros (US$7.2 billion) a 1% increase for 2015. The increase comes because of security concerns in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/43968/update-spain-to-increase-defence-spending|title=Update: Spain to increase defence spending|work=janes.com|access-date=8 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518073610/http://www.janes.com/article/43968/update-spain-to-increase-defence-spending|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
{{seealso|Civil Guard (Spain)}}
The Spanish armed forces are a professional force with a strength in 2017 of 121,900 active personnel and 4,770 reserve personnel. The country also has the 77,000 strong [[Civil Guard (Spain)|Civil Guard]] which comes under the control of the Ministry of defense in times of a national emergency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/43968/update-spain-to-increase-defence-spending|title=Update: Spain to increase defence spending|work=janes.com|access-date=8 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518073610/http://www.janes.com/article/43968/update-spain-to-increase-defence-spending|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


===Army===
===Army===
* [[:es:Anexo:Materiales del Ejército de Tierra de España|Annex: Materials of the Spanish Army]] (Spanish wiki)
The [[Spanish Army]] consists of 15 active brigades and 6 military regions. Modern infantry have diverse capabilities and this is reflected in the varied roles assigned to them. There are four operational roles that infantry battalions can fulfil: air assault, armoured infantry, mechanised infantry, and light role infantry.
The [[Spanish Army]] consists of 15 active brigades and 6 military regions. Modern infantry have diverse capabilities and this is reflected in the varied roles assigned to them. There are four operational roles that infantry battalions can fulfil: air assault, armoured infantry, mechanised infantry, and light role infantry.


Line 161: Line 162:


===Navy===
===Navy===
{{Main|List of active Spanish Navy ships}}
{{Main|Spanish Navy}}


Under the command of the [[Chief of Staff of the Navy (Spain)|Spanish Admiral Chief of Naval Staff]], stationed in [[Madrid]], the [[Spanish Navy]] has four area commands:  
Under the command of the [[Chief of Staff of the Navy (Spain)|Spanish Admiral Chief of Naval Staff]], stationed in [[Madrid]], the [[Spanish Navy]] has four area commands:  
Line 169: Line 170:
* [[Canary Islands]] Maritime Zone with its headquarters at [[Las Palmas de Gran Canaria]].
* [[Canary Islands]] Maritime Zone with its headquarters at [[Las Palmas de Gran Canaria]].


The current flagship of the Spanish Navy is the [[amphibious assault ship]]/aircraft carrier {{ship|Spanish ship|Juan Carlos I||2}}. In addition, the fleet consists of: 2 [[amphibious transport dock]]s, 11 [[frigate]]s, 3 [[submarine]]s, 6 mine countermeasure vessels, 23 patrol vessels and a number of auxiliary ships. The total displacement of the Spanish Navy is approximately 220,000 tonnes. As of 2012, the Armada has a strength of 20,838 personnel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensa.gob.es/Galerias/presupuestos/presupuesto-defensa-2012.pdf|format=PDF|title=Military Budget 2012|page=454|website=defensa.gov.es|language=es|access-date=2013-02-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125221512/http://www.defensa.gob.es/Galerias/presupuestos/presupuesto-defensa-2012.pdf|archive-date=2013-01-25|url-status=live}}</ref>
The current flagship of the Spanish Navy is the [[amphibious assault ship]]/aircraft carrier {{ship|Spanish ship|Juan Carlos I||2}}. In addition, the fleet consists of: 2 [[amphibious transport dock]]s, 11 [[frigate]]s, 3 [[submarine]]s, 6 mine countermeasure vessels, 23 patrol vessels and a number of auxiliary ships. The total displacement of the Spanish Navy is approximately 220,000 tonnes. As of 2012, the Armada has a strength of 20,838 personnel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensa.gob.es/Galerias/presupuestos/presupuesto-defensa-2012.pdf|title=Military Budget 2012|page=454|website=defensa.gov.es|language=es|access-date=2013-02-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125221512/http://www.defensa.gob.es/Galerias/presupuestos/presupuesto-defensa-2012.pdf|archive-date=2013-01-25|url-status=live}}</ref>


<gallery mode="packed" heights="140" caption="Armada Española (Spanish Navy)">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="140" caption="Armada Española (Spanish Navy)">
Line 184: Line 185:


===Air and Space Force===
===Air and Space Force===
{{Main|Spanish Air and Space Force#Current inventory}}
[[Spanish Air and Space Force]] currently has 10 fighter squadrons, each with 18–24 airplanes. The Air and Space Force also has 15 operational air bases around the country. The Air and Space Force operates a wide-ranging fleet of aircraft, from fighters to transport aircraft and passenger transports to helicopters. It maintains some 450 aircraft in total, of which around 130 are fighter aircraft (Eurofighter Typhoons and F-18 MLU). The Spanish Air and Space Force is replacing older aircraft in the inventory with newer ones including the recently introduced Eurofighter Typhoon and the Airbus A400M Atlas airlifter. Both are manufactured with Spanish participation; EADS CASA makes the Eurofighter's right wing and leading edge slats, and participates in the testing and assembly of the airlifter.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20231207045711/http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release/detail/first-a400m-wings-delivered-to-final-assembly-line/news-browse/1/news-period/1175378400/2591999/archived/news-category/press_release/?tx_felogin_pi1%5Bforgot%5D=1]</ref> Its aerobatic display team is the Patrulla Aguila, which flies the CASA C-101 Aviojet. Its helicopter display team, Patrulla Aspa, flies the Eurocopter EC-120 Colibrí. In July 2014 the Spanish Air Force joined the European Air Transport Command, headquartered at Eindhoven Airbase in the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eatc-mil.com/45/Articles/News%20&%20Press%20updates/265/Spain+is+now+member+of+the+EATC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707095201/http://eatc-mil.com/45/Articles/News%20%26%20Press%20updates/265/Spain+is+now+member+of+the+EATC|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 July 2014|title=Spain is now member of the EATC - Articles - EATC &nbsp;-&nbsp; European Air Transport Command|work=eatc-mil.com|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref>
 
[[Spanish Air and Space Force]] currently has 10 fighter squadrons, each with 18-24 airplanes. The Air and Space Force also has 15 operational air bases around the country. The Air and Space Force operates a wide-ranging fleet of aircraft, from fighters to transport aircraft and passenger transports to helicopters. It maintains some 450 aircraft in total, of which around 130 are fighter aircraft (Eurofighter Typhoons and F-18 MLU). The Spanish Air and Space Force is replacing older aircraft in the inventory with newer ones including the recently introduced Eurofighter Typhoon and the Airbus A400M Atlas airlifter. Both are manufactured with Spanish participation; EADS CASA makes the Eurofighter's right wing and leading edge slats, and participates in the testing and assembly of the airlifter.<ref>http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release/detail/first-a400m-wings-delivered-to-final-assembly-line/news-browse/1/news-period/1175378400/2591999/archived/news-category/press_release/?tx_felogin_pi1%5Bforgot%5D=1{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Its aerobatic display team is the Patrulla Aguila, which flies the CASA C-101 Aviojet.Its helicopter display team, Patrulla Aspa, flies the Eurocopter EC-120 Colibrí. In July 2014 the Spanish Air Force joined the European Air Transport Command, headquartered at Eindhoven Airbase in the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eatc-mil.com/45/Articles/News%20&%20Press%20updates/265/Spain+is+now+member+of+the+EATC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707095201/http://eatc-mil.com/45/Articles/News%20%26%20Press%20updates/265/Spain+is+now+member+of+the+EATC|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 July 2014|title=Spain is now member of the EATC - Articles - EATC &nbsp;-&nbsp; European Air Transport Command|work=eatc-mil.com|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref>


<gallery mode="packed" heights="140" caption="Ejército del Aire y del Espacio (Spanish Air and Space Force)">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="140" caption="Ejército del Aire y del Espacio (Spanish Air and Space Force)">
Line 209: Line 208:
The Royal Guard's history dates back to [[Middle Ages|medieval times]], the Corps of Gentlemen of the Chamber, the "[[Monteros de Espinosa]]", dating to 1006.
The Royal Guard's history dates back to [[Middle Ages|medieval times]], the Corps of Gentlemen of the Chamber, the "[[Monteros de Espinosa]]", dating to 1006.


It currently has a strength of 1,900 troops, constituting a fully functional combat unit drawn from the ranks of all three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces: among others, a Marines company, a Paratroop company and an infantry company. Some units have served recently in Afghanistan and Bosnia.
It currently has a strength of 1,900 troops, constituting a fully functional combat unit drawn from the ranks of all three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces: among others, a Marines company, a Paratroop company and an infantry company. Some units have served recently in Afghanistan and Bosnia.


===Military Emergencies Unit===
===Military Emergencies Unit===
{{Main|Military Emergencies Unit}}
{{Main|Military Emergencies Unit}}


The ''Military Emergencies Unit'' ({{lang-es|Unidad Militar de Emergencias}}), is the most recently instituted branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, resulting from a decision of the [[Council of Ministers of Spain]] in 2005.
The ''Military Emergencies Unit'' ({{langx|es|Unidad Militar de Emergencias}}), is the most recently instituted branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, resulting from a decision of the [[Council of Ministers of Spain]] in 2005.


In addition to headquarters staff ({{lang|es|Unidad de Cuartel General}}, there are five emergency intervention battalions ({{Lang|es|Batallon de Intervención en Emergencias}}, BIEM), a support regiment ({{lang|es|Regimiento de Apoyo a Emergencias}}) and an aerial group ({{lang|es|Agrupación de Medios Aéreos}}).
In addition to headquarters staff ({{lang|es|Unidad de Cuartel General}}, there are five emergency intervention battalions ({{Lang|es|Batallon de Intervención en Emergencias}}, BIEM), a support regiment ({{lang|es|Regimiento de Apoyo a Emergencias}}) and an aerial group ({{lang|es|Agrupación de Medios Aéreos}}).
Line 225: Line 224:
File:Lancha UME.jpg|[[Inflatable boat]] Zodiac Mark IV
File:Lancha UME.jpg|[[Inflatable boat]] Zodiac Mark IV
</gallery>
</gallery>
== Equipment of the Spanish Armed Forces ==
=== Spanish Army ===
* [[Equipment of the Spanish Army]] Or the same page in Spanish (with more information): {{ill|Anexo:Materiales del Ejército de Tierra de España|es|Anexo:Materiales del Ejército de Tierra de España}}
* [[Spanish Army Air Defence Command#Equipment in service|Air defence equipment of the Spanish Army]]
* [[Equipment of the Spanish Army#Aircraft of the FAMET|Aircraft of the FAMET]]
* [[Tanks in the Spanish Army]]
=== Spanish Air Force ===
* [[Spanish Air and Space Force#Current inventory|Aircraft of the Spanish Air and Space Force]]
* [[Spanish Air and Space Force#Current armament|Weapons of the Spanish Air Force]]
* [[Spanish Air and Space Force#Air defence|Air defence equipment of the Spanish Air Force]]
=== Spanish Navy ===
* [[List of active Spanish Navy ships]]
* [[Spanish Navy#Aircraft|Aircraft of the Spanish Navy]]
=== Spanish Marine Infantry ===
* [[Spanish Marine Infantry#Equipment|Equipment of the Spanish Marine Infantry]]


==Citations==
==Citations==
Line 232: Line 255:
{{refbegin|30em}}
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book |last=IISS |title=The Military Balance 2020|year=2020 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0367466398}}
* {{cite book |last=IISS |title=The Military Balance 2020|year=2020 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0367466398}}
*{{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2023 |date=15 February 2023 |publisher=Routledge |pages=201−204 |isbn=978-1032508955 |edition=1st |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|2023}}}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


Line 238: Line 262:


==External links==
==External links==
[https://emad.defensa.gob.es/en/?__locale=en Official website]
* {{in lang|es}} [http://www.militar.org.ua/foro/ Foro Militar General - Spanish Military forum]
* {{in lang|es}} [http://www.militar.org.ua/foro/ Foro Militar General - Spanish Military forum]


Line 247: Line 272:
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Military of Spain|Military of Spain]]
[[Category:Military of Spain| ]]
[[Category:Permanent Structured Cooperation]]
[[Category:Permanent Structured Cooperation]]

Latest revision as of 13:12, 10 February 2026


Spanish Armed Forces
Fuerzas Armadas de España
Emblem of the Spanish Armed Forces
Founded20 January 1479
(547 years, 200 days)
Service branches
HeadquartersMadrid, Spain
Leadership
Monarch Felipe VI
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez
Minister of Defence Margarita Robles
Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral General
Teodoro Esteban López Calderón
Manpower
Military age18
ConscriptionNo
Active personnel121,802 (2023)
Reserve personnel24,033 (2023)
Expenditures
Budget€33.123 billion (2025) [1]
Percent of GDP2% (2025)
Industry
Domestic suppliersAirbus
Santa Bárbara
Navantia
Indra
Gamesa
Abengoa
Instalaza
UROVESA
Foreign suppliers France
 Germany
 United States
  Switzerland
 Canada
Annual importsUS$112 million (2014–2022)[2]
Annual exportsUS$752 million (2014–2022)[2]
Related articles
HistoryMilitary history of Spain
Warfare directory of Spain
Wars involving Spain
Battles involving Spain
RanksMilitary ranks of Spain

The Spanish Armed Forces are in charge of guaranteeing the sovereignty and independence of the Kingdom of Spain, defending its territorial integrity and the constitutional order, according to the functions entrusted to them by the Constitution of 1978. They are composed of: the Army, the Air and Space Force, the Navy, the Royal Guard, and the Military Emergencies Unit, as well as the so-called Common Corps.

Spain occupies a prominent position in the structure of NATO, which it joined in 1982. Nevertheless, it spends less than the minimum of 2% of GDP on defence recommended by NATO.[3]

Spain has the oldest Marine Infantry in the world and the oldest permanent military units in the world: the Infantry Regiment "Inmemorial del Rey" No. 1 and the Infantry Regiment "Soria" No. 9.

History[edit | edit source]

Main article: Military history of Spain

After the long Reconquista ending in 1492, Spain evolved into Europe's foremost power with the voyages of Christopher Columbus the same year, leading to Spain acquiring vast lands in the Americas and conquering a number of overseas civilizations in the decades to come. The period of reconquest of Iberia had ended, and now Spain entered an era of overseas conquest spearheaded by conquistadors. The conquest of the Aztec Empire, the conquest of the Inca Empire and the conquest of the Philippines ensued propelling Spain to the foremost military superpower of the time. Spain was also victorious over the French in the Italian Wars, annexing southern Italy. During the reign of Charles V and Philip II, Spain reached the peak of its power with the Spanish Empire spanning 19.4 million square km of the Earth's surface, a total of 13% being the first empire which the Sun never sets. By the mid 17th century Spain had been militarily weakened by the Thirty Years War, the Eighty Years War along with financial problems, and the lack of reforms, though still holding firm to the bulk of the American Continent.

During the 18th century the new Bourbon dynasty revived Spain's economic and military power through a series of important reforms in the armed forces and the economy, notably those of Charles III of Spain. Thanks to these reforms, Spain performed well during the war of Jenkins' Ear defending overseas territory, won the war of Austrian Succession but had mixed result during the Seven Years' War. Spain had also led successful campaigns in the American Revolutionary War. Spain had recovered considerably by the outbreak of the French Revolution, by 1790, the Spanish Empire was the largest empire in the world. The occupation of a great part of Spain by the French during the Napoleonic Wars resulted in Peninsular War, which was characterized by use on a large scale of guerrilla troops, made necessary by the war's devastating effect on the Spanish economy. Although victorious in the Peninsular War over Napoleonic France, the Spanish military was in poor condition and political instability resulted in the loss of most of Spain's former colonies, who had rebelled against Spanish rule in the Spanish American wars of independence, except Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. These too would be lost later in the Spanish–American War.

In the 20th century, the Spanish armed forces did not intervene in the First World War (neutrality) or in the Second World War (non-belligerent), although they did intervene in the Spanish Civil War and in some colonial conflicts. After the arrival of democracy in 1978, they underwent a strong modernization process, becoming modern armed forces. In 1982 Spain entered NATO.

Recently, in the last decades of the 20th century and the first decades of the 21st, Spanish troops have participated together with their Western allies in operations such as Gulf War, NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, KFOR, war on terror, 2011 military intervention in Libya, Combined Task Force 150 and UNIFIL.

Today[edit | edit source]

[timeframe?] Spain participated along with France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Denmark, the United States and Canada in the 2011 intervention against Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, contributing a tanker, 4 F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets, a frigate, a submarine and a surveillance aircraft, along with logistical support from the Naval Station Rota and the Morón Air Base.

Spain has belonged to NATO since 1982. The decision was ratified in the 1986 referendum by the Spanish people. The conditions were the reduction of American military bases, non-integration of Spain in the military structure of NATO, and the prohibition of introducing nuclear weapons in Spain.

Current missions[edit | edit source]

As of June 2017, 3,093 soldiers of the Spanish Armed Forces and the Civil Guard are part of the nineteen operations where Spain has an active role.[4]

According to the National Security Department of Spain (DSN), these are the current missions of the armed forces and civil guard: [4]

  • Missions with the European Union
    • EUTM Mali (2013–2024): Advisory mission in the security and training sector of the Malian National Army. 130 deployed military personnel.
    • EUTM CAR (2016–present): Training mission of the Armed Forces of the Government of the Central African Republic. The Eurocorps is in charge of carrying out this mission. 19 military deployed.
    • EUTM SOMALIA (2010–present): Training mission of the Somali Armed Forces, with the cooperation of the UN and the African Union. 16 military deployed.
    • Operation Atalanta (2008–present): Mission to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean as well as protection of the UN food program. 338 deployed military.
    • EUFOR ALTHEA BOSNIA (2004–present): Advisory mission to the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 3 military deployed.
    • EUNAVFOR MED-SOPHIA (2015–present): Mission to combat trafficking in human beings and prevention of loss of life in the Mediterranean. 261 deployed military personnel.
  • Missions with NATO
    • Operation Sea Guardian (2016–present): Mission to fight against terrorism in the Mediterranean. 119 military deployed.
    • SNMG1 / SNMG2 / SNMCMG2: NATO first-responder permanent naval units. 251 deployed military personnel.
    • Baltic Air Policing (2004–present): Mission to protect the airspace of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. 128 deployed military personnel.
    • Enhanced Forward Presence (2017–present): Mission of presence of NATO in the Baltic Sea region following the annexation of Crimea by Russia. 310 military deployed.
    • Operation Active Fence (2015–present): Mission to reinforce Turkey's air defense against the threat of ballistic missiles from Syria. 149 deployed military personnel.
  • Missions with UN
    • UNIFIL (2006–present): Peacekeeping Monitoring Mission between Lebanon and Israel. 620 soldiers and civil guards deployed.
    • UN COLOMBIA (2016–present): Mission of observers of the peace process in Colombia. 14 deployed military personnel.
  • Coalition against Daesh
    • INHERENT RESOLVE (2015–present): Training mission of Iraqi forces to fight the Daesh. 463 soldiers and civil guards deployed.
  • Security cooperation with France
    • Support for Mali-Senegal (2013–2022): Military support to France to facilitate air transport of French and EU operations in Mali and Sahel. 61 military deployed.
    • Support for the Central African Republic (2013–present): Military support for France and the EU to facilitate air transport in its operations. 45 military deployed.
  • National missions of cooperation with Senegal and Cape Verde
    • Support for Senegal (2016–present): Cooperative security activities with other countries. 34 deployed military personnel.
    • Support for Cape Verde (2016–present): Cooperative security activities with other countries. 59 deployed military personnel.

The Spanish Armed Forces also participated in the last few years in other missions, above all humanitarian and observation: in Albania in 1999, Mozambique in 2000, Republic of Macedonia in 2001, Haiti in 2004 and Indonesia in 2005. In 2006, Spain participated in Darfur, Sudan by sending observers, and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Spain also participated in the Iraq War between 2003 and 2004, in Gabon and in Senegal to safeguard maritime traffic in the Horn of Africa (with 33 Civil Guards and national police officers, two patrol vessels and a helicopter).[5] In 2015, 46 UME soldiers and 12 Civil Guards of the High Mountain Group went to help and rescue in the Nepal earthquake, along with six dogs, three scientific police and a Boeing 707 of supplies transport of the Air and Space Force.[6][7]

The cost of these missions abroad amounts to approximately 800 million euros per year.[8]

Command structure[edit | edit source]

King Felipe VI
PM Pedro Sánchez

The commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces is the Monarch; with the ex officio rank of Captain General in the Army, Navy and Air and Space Force. The Spanish Constitution of 1978 states in article 62(h) that the King of Spain shall have "supreme command of the Armed Forces"; however under article 64, all official acts of the Monarch must be countersigned by the President of the Government (or other competent minister) to become valid.

The President of the Government (also known as Prime Minister in English translations), as the head of government, is responsible under article 97 for "domestic and foreign policy, civil and military administration and the defense of the State", and thus bears the ultimate responsibility before the Cortes Generales, and the Spanish electorate.

The Minister of Defense is in charge of running the Ministry of Defense, which carries out the day-to-day administration of the forces. The President of the Government and the Minister of Defense are civilians. No provision in the Constitution requires the Government to seek approval from the Cortes Generales before sending the armed forces abroad.

The Chief of the Defense Staff directs the Defense Staff and is the senior military advisor to the Minister and the Government. The military leadership of the three military services are: the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force and the Chief of Staff of the Navy.

The structure, and incumbents as of 2025, are:

  1. Commander in Chief: King Felipe VI, Captain General of the Armed Forces
  2. President of the Government: Pedro Sánchez.
  3. Minister of Defence: Margarita Robles.
  4. Chief of the Defense Staff: Admiral General Teodoro E. López Calderón.
  5. The Chiefs of Staff of the branches:
    Chief of Staff of the Army: Army General Amador Fernando Enseñat y Berea.
    Chief of Staff of the Navy: Admiral General Antonio Piñeiro Sánchez.
    Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force: Air General Francisco Braco Carbó.

Branches[edit | edit source]

See also: Civil Guard (Spain)

The Spanish armed forces are a professional force with a strength in 2017 of 121,900 active personnel and 4,770 reserve personnel. The country also has the 77,000 strong Civil Guard which comes under the control of the Ministry of defense in times of a national emergency.[9]

Army[edit | edit source]

The Spanish Army consists of 15 active brigades and 6 military regions. Modern infantry have diverse capabilities and this is reflected in the varied roles assigned to them. There are four operational roles that infantry battalions can fulfil: air assault, armoured infantry, mechanised infantry, and light role infantry.

Navy[edit | edit source]

Main article: Spanish Navy

Under the command of the Spanish Admiral Chief of Naval Staff, stationed in Madrid, the Spanish Navy has four area commands:

The current flagship of the Spanish Navy is the amphibious assault ship/aircraft carrier Juan Carlos I. In addition, the fleet consists of: 2 amphibious transport docks, 11 frigates, 3 submarines, 6 mine countermeasure vessels, 23 patrol vessels and a number of auxiliary ships. The total displacement of the Spanish Navy is approximately 220,000 tonnes. As of 2012, the Armada has a strength of 20,838 personnel.[10]

Marines[edit | edit source]

Spanish Marine Infantry deploying from an AAV-7 during an exhibition.
Main article: Spanish Marine Infantry

The Marines, in Spanish, Infanteria de Marina, are the marine infantry of the Spanish Navy, the oldest in the world. It has a strength of 5,000 troops divided into base defense forces and landing forces. One of the three base defense battalions is stationed with each of the Navy headquarters. "Groups" (midway between battalions and regiments) are stationed in Madrid and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The Tercio (fleet — regiment equivalent) is available for immediate embarkation and based out of San Fernando. Its principal weapons include light tanks, armored combat vehicles, self-propelled artillery, and SPIKE antitank missiles.

Air and Space Force[edit | edit source]

Spanish Air and Space Force currently has 10 fighter squadrons, each with 18–24 airplanes. The Air and Space Force also has 15 operational air bases around the country. The Air and Space Force operates a wide-ranging fleet of aircraft, from fighters to transport aircraft and passenger transports to helicopters. It maintains some 450 aircraft in total, of which around 130 are fighter aircraft (Eurofighter Typhoons and F-18 MLU). The Spanish Air and Space Force is replacing older aircraft in the inventory with newer ones including the recently introduced Eurofighter Typhoon and the Airbus A400M Atlas airlifter. Both are manufactured with Spanish participation; EADS CASA makes the Eurofighter's right wing and leading edge slats, and participates in the testing and assembly of the airlifter.[11] Its aerobatic display team is the Patrulla Aguila, which flies the CASA C-101 Aviojet. Its helicopter display team, Patrulla Aspa, flies the Eurocopter EC-120 Colibrí. In July 2014 the Spanish Air Force joined the European Air Transport Command, headquartered at Eindhoven Airbase in the Netherlands.[12]

Common Corps[edit | edit source]

Main article: Common Corps of the Spanish Armed Forces

The Common Corps are four corps that provide professional services to all the branches of the Armed Forces and the Civil Guard. The Common Corps were created in the 1980s to unify the specialist corps of the different branches for operational reasons. The Common Corps are:

Royal Guard[edit | edit source]

Main article: Spanish Royal Guard
Spanish Royal Guard change at the Palacio Real.

The Royal Guard (Guardia Real) is an independent unit of the Spanish Armed Forces whose primary task is the military protection of the King of Spain and the Spanish royal family. It also protects visiting Heads of State.

The Royal Guard's history dates back to medieval times, the Corps of Gentlemen of the Chamber, the "Monteros de Espinosa", dating to 1006.

It currently has a strength of 1,900 troops, constituting a fully functional combat unit drawn from the ranks of all three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces: among others, a Marines company, a Paratroop company and an infantry company. Some units have served recently in Afghanistan and Bosnia.

Military Emergencies Unit[edit | edit source]

Main article: Military Emergencies Unit

The Military Emergencies Unit (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), is the most recently instituted branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, resulting from a decision of the Council of Ministers of Spain in 2005.

In addition to headquarters staff (Unidad de Cuartel General, there are five emergency intervention battalions (Batallon de Intervención en Emergencias, BIEM), a support regiment (Regimiento de Apoyo a Emergencias) and an aerial group (Agrupación de Medios Aéreos).

It is responsible for providing disaster relief principally throughout Spain but also if necessary abroad. The activities including handling natural hazards such as floods and earthquakes, forest fires, chemical and nuclear accidents, and other emergency situations recognized as such by the Prime Minister of Spain.

Equipment of the Spanish Armed Forces[edit | edit source]

Spanish Army[edit | edit source]

Spanish Air Force[edit | edit source]

Spanish Navy[edit | edit source]

Spanish Marine Infantry[edit | edit source]

Citations[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "OTAN: España sigue a la cola de inversión en defensa, pese a llegar al 2%, pero gasta más que la media en armamento".
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "TIV of arms imports/exports data for Spain, 2014-2022". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 30 January 2024.
  3. ↑ Gardner, Frank (2026-02-10). "Munich Security Conference: Trump's world order hangs over Europe". BBC News. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Fuerzas Armadas españolas en misiones internacionales, Junio 2017". 2017. Archived from the original on June 17, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Misiones en curso". April 9, 2017. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Medio centenar de militares españoles parten desde Jaca rumbo a Nepal". May 5, 2015. Archived from the original on October 28, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Medio centenar de militares españoles parten desde Jaca rumbo a Nepal". May 5, 2015. Archived from the original on October 28, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  8. ↑ "España gastó en 2016 más de 770 millones de euros en las misiones de las Fuerzas Armadas". Europa Press. 20 December 2016. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  9. ↑ "Update: Spain to increase defence spending". janes.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  10. ↑ "Military Budget 2012" (PDF). defensa.gov.es (in español). p. 454. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2013-01-25. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  11. ↑ [1]
  12. ↑ "Spain is now member of the EATC - Articles - EATC  -  European Air Transport Command". eatc-mil.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2015.

References[edit | edit source]

Further reading[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Official website

Template:Spain topics Template:FFAA España Template:Military of Europe Template:Militaries of European Union member states

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spanish_Armed_Forces&oldid=451279"
Discover more