{"id":63934,"date":"2026-03-13T23:41:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T22:41:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/?p=63934"},"modified":"2026-03-20T23:30:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T22:30:17","slug":"the-deployment-of-the-spanish-navy-in-natos-major-exercise-steadfast-dart-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/2026\/03\/13\/the-deployment-of-the-spanish-navy-in-natos-major-exercise-steadfast-dart-26\/","title":{"rendered":"The deployment of the Spanish Navy in NATO's major exercise Steadfast Dart 26"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the end of February, one of the most important exercises organized by NATO this year concluded: Steadfast Dart 26.<\/p>\n

The AirTEP rapid insertion system used by the Spanish Navy's Green Berets<\/a><\/rel>
\nThe arrival of a Spanish special operations military contingent in Emden, Germany<\/a><\/rel><\/p>\n

Spain has had a significant role in this exercise. On the naval front, the Spanish Navy sent two ships: the amphibious assault ship (BAA) \"Castilla\" L-52, which served as the Command Ship, and the frigate \"Crist\u00f3bal Col\u00f3n\" F-105<\/strong>, which had on board COMANDES-31, the commander of the 31st Surface Squadron, which comprises the Spanish F-100 frigates and is based in Ferrol.<\/p>\n

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The amphibious assault ship \"Castilla\" L-52 accompanied by the frigate \"Crist\u00f3bal Col\u00f3n\" F-105 in this exercise (Photo: NATO Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum<\/a>).<\/div>\n

In addition, the exercise also included the participation of the frigate \"Almirante Juan de Borb\u00f3n\" F-102<\/strong>, as it is part of NATO's Standing Naval Group 1 (SNMG-1), currently under Spanish command. From February 6th, the combat replenishment ship (CAC) \"Pati\u00f1o\" A-14 also participated.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The frigate \"Almirante Juan de Borb\u00f3n\" F-102 participated in the exercise integrated into NATO's SNMG-1 (Photo: Armada Espa\u00f1ola<\/a>).<\/div>\n

The Spanish Navy also contributed its special operations group, the Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE), to this exercise.<\/strong> Images released show operators from the FGNE's First Estol \"Commandos\" and Third Estol \"Comanfes\" in training.<\/p>\n

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Operators of the Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE) in this exercise (Photo: NATO Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum<\/a>).<\/div>\n

Regarding naval air participation, the Naval Air Flotilla (FLOAN) contributed SH-60F Seahawk helicopters<\/strong>, formerly belonging to the 5th Squadron and now integrated into the 10th Squadron. They have been seen in tactical transport operations.<\/p>\n

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An SH-60F Seahawk helicopter from the 10th Squadron. In the background we see the Turkish aircraft carrier TCG Anadolu L-400, sister ship of the Spanish aircraft carrier \"Juan Carlos I\" L-61 (Photo: NATO Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum<\/a>).<\/div>\n

Likewise, the transport ship \"Ysabel\" A-06<\/strong>, a Spanish Army ro-ro operated by the Navy, participated in the withdrawal phase of the exercise<\/a>, transporting Spanish military vehicles back to Spain this week.<\/p>\n

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The transport ship \"Ysabel\" A-06 during the withdrawal phase of the exercise (Photo: Estado Mayor de la Defensa<\/a>).<\/div>\n

This week, the Spanish Navy has published a good video summarizing this exercise<\/strong>, in which we can see the Spanish ships, aircraft and units contributed to it:<\/p>\n