Spanish units deploy to Slovakia and Hungary for operation 'Strong Lineage 26'

Deployment begins

A total of 1,600 Spanish troops and more than 300 vehicles have deployed to Slovakia and Hungary to participate in NATO’s "Strong Lineage 26" operation, which will validate the expansion of the Multinational Battle Group Slovakia to brigade level, led by Spain since July 2024.

The strategic deployment of the Spanish contingent, with the Brigade “Rey Alfonso XIII” II of the Legion (BRILEG) as the core unit—supported by personnel and assets from other Army units across the national territory—began on May 18 at the port of Almería, where the headquarters of BRILEG is located, in Viator.

Farewell of the troops and their families

After reaching the port of Koper, in Slovenia, the Spanish units carried out the overland movement to the training areas of Lešt (Slovakia) and Croft (Hungary), completing their deployment on May 24, with the entire Multinational Brigade in Slovakia (MN BDE SVK) deployed and under the command of the Commander of the Legion, General José Agustín Carreras.

Operation "Strong Lineage 26" includes around 2,900 troops from seven nations—Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Portugal, Romania, and Türkiye. During the tactical phase of the operation, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) will verify that the Multinational Brigade in Slovakia (MN BDE SVK), led by Spain, is combat-ready in terms of activation, strategic deployment, logistics, and operations, in close coordination with the host nation, Slovakia.

Heading to the operation