‘Patriot' arrives in its new home

The Patriot materiel Spain purchased from the German Air Force has recently arrived in its new home: The facilities of the 81st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment (RAAA) at the “General Almirante” base in Marines (Valencia).

In the early hours of 2 July the ship transporting the new materiel from Germany docked in the harbour of Sagunto (Valencia). Over the next two days, its contents were unloaded and transported by convoy to the “General Almirante” base, their final destination.

The 81st RAAA has become the “Patriot” regiment of the Army. Not only has it received this new materiel, but it is expected that a battery acquired several years ago and two others bought in 2014 will now be sent to that unit, together with the other elements of the system (a group operations centre, communications components, tools and spare parts). Part of that materiel is now deployed in the framework of the “Active Fence” mission to protect the Turkish airspace.

Over the last few months the 81st RAAA has been preparing to receive the new materiel and deliver the equipment being replaced: the Roland system and 35/90 mm cannons. The Roland launchers and Sky fire controllers will be taken to the Casetas industrial estate in Zaragoza, while the 35/90 mm cannons will be delivered to the 94th RAAA and the 32nd Mixed Artillery Regiment in October.

A radar is transported to the base (Photo: 81st RAAA)

On 15 August personnel from the unit will begin their training in the Patriot system with the help of the 74th RAAA, which has been equipped with it and knows it well.

Once they are ready to operate the system they will relieve the 74th RAAA, members of which have been deployed in Turkey since early this year and which will send its second contingent in mid-July.