An exercise that brings together 2,400 soldiers from 14 countries
Exercise Resolute Warrior has established itself as a major annual training event for the Latvian Multinational Brigade, a unit integrated into the Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) mission. Its goal is to verify the ability of allied forces to act under a unified command system and maintain an immediate level of reaction in crisis scenarios. This year, participation exceeded 2,400 soldiers from 14 countries, making this activity one of the most significant joint exercises in the Baltic environment.
Spain, one of the most important units in the mission, deployed armored, mechanized, and artillery means, explosives experts, and anti-aircraft defense capabilities, in addition to logistical and health support teams. The Spanish presence is expressed primarily through the Guadarrama XII Brigade, stationed in Madrid, which contributes a significant portion of the tactical subgroup integrated into the Canadian-led structure.
A key movement in joint training
The development of the Resolute Warrior involved an operational component that was carried out in a coordinated manner among several multinational units, and was distinguished by its tactical complexity. This maneuver was the event most analyzed by commanders due to the speed at which combat levels were integrated and the ability to adapt commands in real time within a high-pressure simulated environment.
This movement, intended for the advanced phase of the exercise, tested the chain of command and the multinational C2 system, with the direct participation of Spanish Leopard 2E battle tanks, Pizarro infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled artillery units integrated into the Allied brigade.
Live ammunition demonstration in front of allied authorities
The final phase of Resolute Warrior included a live fire demonstration that allowed for assessment of accuracy, coordination and synchronization between the participating forces. Spanish Leopard 2E and Pizarro aircraft worked jointly with Canadian, Italian and Slovenian media, among others, in a scenario that reproduced an Allied counterattack against a simulated attack on defensive positions.
Spanish supervision in the field of Ādaži
The Chief of Staff of the Operations Command, Vice Admiral Enrique Nunez de Prado, traveled to Latvia to follow the development of the maneuver on the ground. His presence underscored Spain’s commitment to allied deterrence on the eastern flank and the importance of maintaining a level of training that ensures immediate response to threats.
Nunez de Prado highlighted the cohesion between units and the level of readiness achieved during the different phases of Resolute Warrior, as well as the coordination demonstrated in joint operations integrating armored elements, simulated air support and combat engineering capacity.
Cooperation with Latvia and comprehensive defence
In addition to the purely tactical component, the exercise included interactive activities with the civilian population of Latvia, an initiative aimed at strengthening confidence and familiarizing local communities with the presence of allies. The Latvian National Guard played a crucial role in these actions, allowing us to strengthen the comprehensive defense approach promoted by the Alliance along the Baltic Corridor.
The role of the Spanish contingent in the eFP mission
Spain maintains one of its most important Eastern European deployments in Latvia, with more than 600 soldiers and a wide range of capabilities. Among them, the Anti-Aircraft Defense Unit (UDAA) stands out, equipped with Nasams, Spike anti-tank missiles, heavy mortars, engineering units and JTAC teams specialized in coordinating close air support.
The use of the Raven drone adds an element of surveillance and reconnaissance that facilitates tactical decision-making, provides real-time images during maneuvers and allows the advance of allied units to be assessed more accurately.
Strengthening Spanish commitment to European security
The eFP mission, operational since 2017, forms one of the pillars of allied deterrence on the eastern flank, which includes eight battle groups distributed from Estonia to Slovakia. In addition to its presence in the Baltic region, Spain currently commands the multinational combat group in Slovakia, which strengthens its role in the European security architecture.
The strategic influence of the resolute warrior
The latest edition of the exercise demonstrated that interoperability and cohesion among allies continue to strengthen, essential elements in a tense geopolitical context in the Euro-Atlantic environment. The execution of the major tactical movement within Resolute Warrior, which was preceded by weeks of planning and coordination, confirms the brigade’s integrated response capability.
With the completion of the exercise, the Spanish battalion reaffirms its contribution to the stability of the eastern flank and demonstrates the effectiveness of its armored and mechanized means in a multinational environment. The performance of the Leopard 2E and Pizarro became the standard within Allied deployment.
The development of this strategic maneuver reinforces Spain’s commitment to collective security, a NATO responsibility that is clearly visible in the ongoing cooperation in Latvia. The final result of Resolute Warrior confirms that the Spanish Army maintains a level of readiness fully in line with the operational requirements of European defence.
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