The Spanish Army deploys its counter-drone defense capabilities in “Atlas 25”

Exercise 'Atlas 25'

Various units from the Spanish Army, the Navy, the Air and Space Force, the Civil Guard, and the National Police Corps will deploy and integrate under a single command during Exercise “Atlas 25,” held from October 20th to 24th at the “Médano del Loro” Training and Firing Range (CMT) in Huelva. The objective is to respond effectively, rapidly, and efficiently to a multi-layered aerial threat—particularly against drones—within a complex, demanding, and realistic scenario.

“Atlas 25” is led by the Chief of the Defence Staff, organized by the Maneuver Support Command, and directed by the 71st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment of the Army’s Anti-Aircraft Artillery Command.

The exercise incorporates the deployments and lessons identified from the Spanish Army’s use of counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) on the Eastern Flank, with the aim of continuing to advance the Techniques, Tactics, and Procedures of its unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and C-UAS.

The command, control, interoperability and integration capabilities of the units within the Air and Space Force’s Air Defence System enable the necessary cross-cutting coordination and synchronization of all deployed weapon systems, so that destruction effects (hard kill) — using guided and unguided munitions — and neutralization (soft kill) through electronic warfare succeed in neutralizing that threat.

This exercise also serves as a platform for collaboration with national companies, universities, and Armed Forces testing centers to continue promoting research and technological development (R&D) in counter-drone air defense capabilities.