Initially located at Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia, since the end of March, the system was relocated to Kaunas Air Base, Lithuania in early July. A second Spanish battery is deployed to Ämari, Estonia. Both Spanish batteries are tied into NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence System via the regional Control and Reporting Centres supporting air surveillance and control of NATO airspace in the region.
“NASAMS is a state-of-the-art air defence system jointly developed by the United States and Norway,” said Major Antonio Izquierdo Aroca, Commander of the NASAMS battery now at Kaunas. “With its ability to detect, track, and engage multiple targets simultaneously, the system provides an essential layer of protection against a wide range of airborne threats, including aircraft, drones, and ballistic missiles,” he concluded.
Equipped with advanced sensors, radars, and missile launchers, the Spanish NASAMS batteries establish a comprehensive air defence shield around their deployment zones. The system’s highly mobile and adaptable nature allows for rapid deployment and operational flexibility, making it an ideal choice for securing key locations augmenting an overall defensive posture.
The Spanish deployment of these advanced systems from their home garrisons in the southwestern part of the Alliance territory to the eastern flank underscores the collective commitment of NATO Allies to reinforce Baltic security and deter potential threats. It highlighted the Alliance’s commitment to regional solidarity, especially in the face of evolving security challenges.