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Date Published: 12/03/2025

Major Spanish military drills are taking place in Murcia this week

The joint military exercises aim to enhance rapid response and coordination efforts across air, land and sea

The Region of Murcia is hosting the 'Eagle Eye 25-01' military exercise from March 10 to 14, bringing together Spain's Air and Space forces, the Army, and the Navy to test their anti-aircraft response coordination.

The exercise, centred in San Javier and Cartagena but extending across southeastern Spain, simulates aircraft incursions into national airspace, requiring a swift and coordinated defence reaction.

Presented at San Javier Air Base by high-ranking military officials, the exercise integrates various military units. The Spanish Air and Space Force contributes six Eurofighter Typhoon fighters from Wing 11, supported by the Central Command and Control Group and the Air Operations Centre.

The Spanish Army provides an Air Defence Unit led by the III/73 Anti-aircraft Artillery Group, while the Navy deploys the F-102 frigate Almirante Juan de Borbón. These units will work together to intercept potential threats in real time.

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Approximately 500 military personnel are involved in the manoeuvres, with Spain's national air defence system constantly monitored by around 3,000 troops. Captain Gonzalo Leira, coordinating the exercise, highlights that these periodic drills enhance situational awareness and crisis response capabilities.

Although the exercise is not directly linked to current geopolitical tensions, it is more extensive than previous iterations due to the inclusion of the 'Reinforced Presence Levante 25-1' initiative, which incorporates additional forces from the Army and Navy.

This expanded operation sees the involvement of the Tactical Group in Ceuta and Melilla, along with the Dédalo expeditionary combat group, including the aircraft carrier Juan Carlos I and its escort ships.

The exercise also integrates Harrier aircraft from the Juan Carlos I for amphibious operations around Alborán Island. Additionally, the frigate Canarias and the submarine Galerna, part of NATO's 'Sea Guardian' mission, contribute to maritime surveillance tasks.

A key aspect of the exercise is practising Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) systems, ensuring that fighter squadrons can be airborne within 15 minutes to intercept potential intrusions. Despite deploying advanced weaponry such as HAWK, Patriot and Mistral defence systems, no live munitions will be used, as the focus remains on interoperability and response coordination.

While no immediate threats to Spanish airspace have been identified, the Operations Command remains vigilant against 'grey zone' activities – subversive actions like cyberattacks, espionage or disinformation campaigns that do not constitute direct military aggression but can destabilise national security.

The exercise occurs against a backdrop of political debate over Spain's defence spending. Spain currently allocates just over 1.2% of GDP to defence, the lowest among NATO countries, despite European pressure to increase this to 3%.

Spanish President Pedro Sánchez has pledged to reach 2% by 2029, but this commitment is facing opposition within his left-wing coalition government. While European governments are advocating higher military investment, the domestic political factions in Spain, including Sumar and Compromís, are resisting increases in the defence budget, arguing that militarist policies play into the hands of far-right discourse.

Image: Ministerio de Defensa

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