The military deployment taking place this week in the Archipelago (the largest in the Canary Islands since 1986) showcases the joint projection capability of the Navy, the Army, and the Air and Space Force, as well as integration with the Civil Guard and the UME in defense and support missions for the population. The event has mobilized more than 3,266 military personnel, including members of the “Canarias” XVI Brigade, the Royal Guard, the Emergency Military Unit (UME), the Navy, the Air and Space Force, and the Civil Guard. Air Force In addition to the land parade, the central event will feature an air parade composed of 34 planes and 21 helicopters, as well as various exhibitions and activities open to the public in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The operation deployed to the Archipelago includes the best of our military. In the skies of the Islands, you can see the famous Eurofighter C.16 Typhoon, a twin-engine fighter reaching a maximum speed of Mach 2. In Spain, it’s operated by wings 11 (Morón) and 14 (Albacete). Three Spanish Eurofighter jets at the Morón airbase. / Eduardo Abad Also present will be the F/A-18M Hornet (C.15/EF-18), a modernized version of the classic Hornet, and three different Airbus models: the A400M Atlas, capable of carrying 37 tons for 4,700 km, landing on 1,000 m dirt runways, and refueling helicopters in flight, the A330 MRTT, a strategic tanker with 111 tons of internal fuel, 300 seats or 45 tons of cargo, and the C295, a tactical twin-engine turboprop configurable for cargo, patient transport from remote or hard-to-access locations, or maritime patrol. Finally, the CN-235 VIGMA (D.4), medium-range SAR patrols for air search and rescue, and Pilatus PC-21 (Eagle Patrol), advanced training turboprop. Helicopters The role of helicopters is vital in the Air Force, as demonstrated by the variety of models that have come to the Canary Islands. There are rescue and evacuation helicopters (AS332 Super Puma HD.21/HT.21 and H135 (HEP) UME), attack helicopters like the Tigre HA-28, or essential for assault and logistics (CH-47F Chinook (HT-17)). Military personnel from the Canarias XVI Brigade descend from two Super Puma helicopters from Lanzarote to participate in the second drill held yesterday at La Isleta. / José Pérez Curbelo Visitors to the different exhibitions can also enjoy the AS532 Cougar (HT-27), an evolution of the Super Puma, and the NH-90 (MH-90/HT-29), a medium multi-purpose helicopter with a carbon fiber structure, digital cockpit, and five-blade rotor. Land Vehicles The highest number of forces is, as usual, taken by the Army. For escort alone, it will present 31 BMW R-1200RT-P motorcycles, and there will also be 81 wheeled vehicles of different models: VAMTAC ST-5, IVECO M-250/M-170, Role 2 ambulances, CIS nodes, RG-31 MRAP. Image of a Leopard 2E tank, the Spanish version of the German Leopard2A6 tank. / MINISTRY OF DEFENSE Among the most spectacular models are the Leopard 2E, a 62-ton armored battle tank, the VCI Pizarro and the Castor (the engineers’ version of the Pizarro), and the Centauro 105 mm, a combat wheeled armored vehicle designed for armed reconnaissance missions. Ships There will also be a prominent display of ships from the Spanish Navy and the Civil Guard’s Maritime Service, with capabilities ranging from amphibious projection to coastal surveillance and anti-submarine warfare. Among the giants of the sea is the LHD “Juan Carlos I” (L-61), the flagship of the Navy, with 26,000 tons and 231 meters in length. This multifunction vessel is prepared to transport four hovercraft, operate up to 12 helicopters and 8 AV-8B Harrier or F-35B fighters. Accompanying it will be the LPD “Castilla” (L-52), designed for amphibious operations, with a capacity for 33 battle tanks or 170 light vehicles and up to 600 marines. Warship ‘Juan Carlos I’ / María Pisaca The combat power and air defense will be provided by the F-100 frigates “Álvaro de Bazán” and “Blas de Lezo,” along with a veteran but effective F-80 frigate “Santa María.” The submarine vanguard will be represented by the S-81 “Isaac Peral,” the first submersible of the S-80 Plus class. With 3,000 tons displacement, air-independent propulsion (AIP), six 533 mm torpedo tubes, and a range of up to 8,000 nautical miles, it is a symbol of the new technological era of the Navy. Surveillance In the area of maritime surveillance missions and international security, the BAM “Tornado” (P-44) and “Rayo” (P-42) will be present, versatile platforms for maritime interdiction operations (MIO) and search and rescue (SAR). Regarding mine warfare, two units of the “Segura” class (the M-31 Segura and the M-36 Tajo) will provide specialized capabilities thanks to their unmanned underwater detection vehicles (ROV) such as the Pluto or the Kongsberg. The training ship “Intermares” (A-41), a floating platform of 2,970 tons prepared to train 40 students in fishing techniques and development assistance, will also be there. Civil Guard From the Civil Guard, the OPV “Río Segura” will stand out with its 1,400 tons, 73 meters in length, and autonomy of 4,000 nautical miles. Equipped with two 12.7 mm cannons, it is essential for antipollution, rescue, and patrolling missions. It is joined by the agile patrol boat “Río Ara,” of the “Río” class, with just 20 meters in length but capable of reaching 30 knots, ideal for coastal surveillance and interdiction tasks. These are the 28 confirmed models for the parade and parallel events of Armed Forces Day 2025 in the Canary Islands. A combination of different units that provides a clear view of Spain’s defense, training, and maritime security capabilities.
