After seven years as a soldier, Sierra was promoted to corporal in 2022. He passed the sergeant examination that year and graduated as a sergeant in 2025 before taking charge of a platoon with the VCZ Castor.
Margarita Robles attended the handover of command at Melilla’s Base Alfonso XIII. Fernando Ruiz Gómez made readiness and continuous improvement priorities in his new role.
Chema Gil says Moroccan F-16s flew low near the edge of Spanish airspace for two weeks amid pressure on Ceuta. He says they stayed on Morocco’s side and Spain tracked them without scrambling its fighters.
At least one Moroccan frigate and several patrol boats entered waters off Ceuta without permission. The incursions coincided with a mass arrival of migrants and a near collision at sea.
More than 70,000 migrants arrived in Ceuta on 30 and 31 July as Moroccan warships entered waters Spain claims as its own. Pedro Sánchez confirmed the incidents and said the two navies later spoke.
Madrid’s 12 October display lists 81 aircraft and helicopters, while independent reports count 82 or 83. Visibility, wind and cloud cover will determine whether the formations can fly.
Moroccan naval vessels entered waters claimed by Spain during the July migrant crisis. Spain sent warships to Ceuta after repeated incursions reportedly brought patrol boats close to a collision.
The launches came four days after South Korea tested a hypersonic missile. Japan said at least two objects likely fell beyond its exclusive economic zone.
Margarita Robles used a pre-National Day military briefing to address troops abroad and the Ceuta command. Her message tied overseas operations to Spain’s position on Ceuta and Melilla.
Margarita Robles reaffirmed Spain’s position on Ceuta and Melilla while addressing troops abroad. Spain is maintaining 17 missions with about 3,000 personnel across four continents.
Madrid’s National Day parade will close central roads from 7.00 on Monday 12 October 2026. Transport diversions will continue into the evening, with a concert and fireworks at Plaza de Cibeles.
More than 4,000 participants will join Spain’s National Day parade in Madrid on 12 October. RTVE will carry the ceremony live across its television and radio outlets, with coverage also on digital services.
Madrid will host Monday’s Fiesta Nacional ceremony, with 4,380 participants expected and the 8x8 Dragón due to appear for the first time. Official confirmation of the figures and debut is still pending.
Rocío Blanco says the future army logistics base could bring investment and jobs to Córdoba, while opening the door to new suppliers. Construction delays and a legal challenge could slow the project, as could the lack of an internal rail terminal.
Italy has placed a major order for the Ineos Grenadier, signaling a shift in military vehicle strategy. Austria has ordered armored versions, while other NATO countries are watching closely. The Grenadier’s rugged design is drawing scrutiny across Europe.
SAIC’s plan for a car plant in Ferrol has rattled Spain’s defense circles. The factory’s location near a major naval base has turned an economic deal into a security headache for Madrid and its allies.
Josep Borrell has warned that Europe’s military supply chains are dangerously exposed. At a meeting of defence industry leaders in Cartagena, he called for greater autonomy.
Seat has paused talks with Indra over a proposed military vehicle programme at its Martorell plant. The carmaker remains unsure how large the project could become, where it is headed and what it would mean for its business.
Spain's Defence Ministry has sent Amnesty International's report to prosecutors and a Ceuta court. The report alleges abuse against migrants and asylum seekers, and the armed forces will conduct an internal review.
Spain’s automotive industry is eyeing defense as Europe ramps up military spending. But certification and security hurdles, alongside the challenge of scaling production, are slowing the shift from car plants to arms suppliers.
Indra is changing its executive structure ahead of a new strategy. Five senior managers are leaving, and Defence and Operations are getting new leaders.
Julián García Vargas, a basic figure in Spain’s transition era, has died. He led the reduction of compulsory military service and drove major health-system reforms, leaving a legacy that still shapes Spanish institutions.
Julián García Vargas, who led major reforms in Spain's defense and health sectors, has died at 81. His tenure included reducing compulsory military service and implementing basic health laws. His influence extended beyond government into the private sector and national foundations.
Spanish military intelligence has identified 72 Moroccan soldiers, including 22 intelligence agents, as basic coordinators behind the recent surge of organized incursions and unrest in Ceuta. Classified reports describe an infiltration strategy aimed at destabilizing the city.
Britain says Argentina lacks the military capacity to seize the Falkland Islands and that the UK can defend them. The warning followed Javier Milei's renewed sovereignty claim at the UN and his call for negotiations over the islands.
Ceuta’s spiraling crisis has renewed calls for a state of exception, a rarely used legal tool that could allow expedited expulsions and strict controls. Legal and military voices argue it is the only way to restore order after weeks of chaos.
Spain’s Ministry of Defence has told soldiers in Ceuta to remove their names from uniforms to protect their identities as threats and violence rise. Troops say they feel exposed and under-equipped as attacks increase and official support remains limited.
After weeks of patrols with only one loaded firearm for every four soldiers, Spain’s Defence Ministry has begun issuing pepper spray to military personnel in Ceuta. The move follows mounting criticism over troop safety and the lack of clear legal protection for those using non-lethal force.
A new ISW scenario examines a limited Russian operation in Estonia. Narva could face drones and hybrid pressure aimed at testing NATO's unity.
Three military associations have complained to Spain's ombudsman about the treatment of troops serving in Ceuta. They are seeking clearer operational information, protection for personal data and safeguards against physical and health risks.
Two Spanish EF-18M fighters identified and escorted a Russian surveillance aircraft over international waters in the Baltic on 22 September 2026. The aircraft had no flight plan and its transponder was off; it had not contacted civil air traffic control.
The Guardia Civil is bringing in 200 new unmarked sedans to strengthen its undercover teams. The €5.4 million move aims to give Spanish security forces an edge against organized crime and terrorism.
Emmanuel Macron says the US-Denmark agreement eases tensions over Greenland. Copenhagen and Greenlandic authorities say it protects Danish sovereignty and Greenlandic self-determination, while Washington presents it as a lasting security arrangement impressive to NATO and Europe.
Morocco has secured fresh support from the United States and Israel for its autonomy plan in Western Sahara. The three countries will deepen security cooperation and expand ties in trade, technology and diplomacy.
More than 3,000 migrants were moved to a temporary port centre in Ceuta. Feijóo promised tighter border controls and additional security forces if elected.
