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PROTECTION

International Cooperation

Europe

Spain

Background

Long a member of NATO, joining in 1982, Spain has cooperated with the U.S., in the framework of the U.S.-Spain Missile Defense Technical Group.

Current Developments

As of October 12, 2011, Spain hopes that its new Aegis Ship, the Cristobal Colon, could join the U.S. fleet at Rota. And possible upgrades to it other 4 Aegis ships could allow their entire Aegis fleet to join NATO’s missile defense system.

On October 5, 2011, a missile defense agreement was made between Spain, NATO and the U.S. The agreement allows for Naval Station Rota in Southern Spain to host 4 U.S. Aegis Ships and be part of NATO’s European Missile Defense.

Capabilities

Spain has an airborne Sentinel RMK and two artillery locating radars, type AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder.

4 Aegis system equipped vessels deployed:

- Alvaro de Bazan (F-101)

- Almirante Juan de Borbon (F-102)

- Blas de Lezo (F-103)

- Mendez Nunez (F-104)

1 set for operation in 2012:

- Cristobal Colon (F-105)

o Aegis Weapon System 7.1

o SPY-1D (v) Radar

The Spanish Army also has 1 battery of PAC-3 and an unknown number of SAM’s