He deployment of military units of the Balearic Operational Command to Ibiza and Formentera It takes place from December 15 to 19, with the participation of troops belonging to the 47th Palma Infantry Regiment, based in Palma de Mallorca. The operation represents the third activation of this type in 2025 in the Balearic territory.
Deployed units have a platoon and section entity, a format that allows them to act flexibly and adapt to different operational scenarios. Its main mission is to increase the surveillance and protection of the island space through continuous patrols, both on foot and with motorized means, strengthening the visible presence of the army in Ibiza and Formentera.
Presence, surveillance and deterrence operations
This deployment is part of so-called Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence operations, known as OPVD. These operations constitute a permanent tool of the Armed Forces to guarantee security in areas of sovereignty and national interest, particularly in territories far from the continent.
The objective of the OPVD is not limited to passive surveillance. Its approach aims to detect possible threats in advance, improve knowledge of the environment and ensure immediate response capacity to any crisis situation. In the case of archipelagos, these missions acquire added strategic value due to their geographical location.
Land patrols and environmental monitoring
In Ibiza and Formentera, military patrols carry out systematic reconnaissance of critical infrastructure, communication routes and areas of particular interest. This work helps update operational information on the ground, a key element to support, if necessary, civil authorities and state security forces and agencies.
Detailed knowledge of the island environment facilitates interagency coordination and reduces response times to incidents that could affect public safety. It is for this reason that deployment is not designed as an isolated action, but as part of ongoing planning.
Strengthening the military presence in the Balearic Islands
The deployment of troops in the Pitiusas contributes to intensifying the presence of the Army on all the islands of the Balearic archipelago. This strategy aims to ensure that military capabilities are distributed in a balanced manner and are not concentrated only in Mallorca.
Beyond the strictly operational aspect, these missions promote direct contact with the local population. The daily interaction between soldiers and citizens reinforces the perception of security and brings the role of the armed forces closer to civil society, particularly in territories where the usual presence of ground units is less.
The role of Operational Ground Command
The planning and execution of these operations is the responsibility of the Land Operational Command, whose headquarters is located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This command is responsible for coordinating permanent operations in the Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla and the Balearic Islands, under the authority of Lieutenant General Julio Salom Herrera.
The Land Operational Command acts under the operational control of the Operations Command, based in Madrid and dependent on the General Staff of Defense. This central organization is responsible for planning and directing permanent operations in all domains: land, sea, air, space and cyberspace.
Joint coordination of the Armed Forces
Operations Command carries out its work through various specialized subordinate commands. Alongside the Land Operational Command, the Maritime Operational Command, the Air Operational Command, the Space Command and the Joint Cyberspace Command operate, which provides a comprehensive vision of national security.
This common structure ensures that the OPVDs develop in a coordinated and coherent manner throughout the territory. The action in the Balearic Islands thus responds to a national strategy which combines dissuasive presence, constant surveillance and immediate reaction capacity.
A permanent security model
OPVDs have been consolidated as an effective model for maintaining continuous surveillance in strategic areas. Far from being one-off operations, they are part of a permanent system which adapts to the evolution of the security context and the specific needs of each territory.
In the case of Ibiza and Formentera, the deployment of military units of the Balearic Operational Command to Ibiza and Formentera strengthens the protection of island space and improves preparation for scenarios that require military support to civil authorities, thus closing the cycle of an operation designed to anticipate any eventuality.
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