HQ NRDC-ESP

CFE SVK_Anniversary ceremony

CFE SVK_Anniversary ceremony

CFE SVK CFE III group picture

Prompted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the consequent increase in capabilities agreed by the Alliance, with the aim of providing cover along the entire eastern European flank, in December 2023 the Council of Ministers approved the participation of Spanish forces in Slovakia, as part of Spain's commitment to its allies. 

This implied that Spain assumed, first, responsibility as Framework Nation (FN) of the Battle Group (BG) that could be upgraded to a Brigade deployed in Slovakia (Lešť) and second, Spain assumed the role of the FN of an Army Corps Headquarters for high-intensity operations (WFC), with HQ NRDC-ESP as the command and control element, in the Slovakia-Hungary-Czechia area, and authorised the permanent deployment of a coordination element, in addition to an Army Aviation unit.

The Corps Forward Element (CFE) was born, deploying its first rotation on 12 March 2024 at Malacky Air Base, Kuchyňa, Slovakia.The first year of deployment has therefore been completed.

The CFE is composed of CGTAD/HQ NRDC-ESP personnel (based in Valencia and Bétera) and is supported by personnel from 21st Signal Regiment (Marines-Valencia), and 1st Signal Regimient (Huesca), which provide command and control with the most modern information and communications technologies. It also receives the support of a detachment of the National Support Element generated by the 61st Comabat Support Service Unit (Valladolid), in charge of logistical support.

Among the tasks assigned to it, the following two stand out: first, to liaise with the entities in the area of operations to facilitate the entry and assumption of responsibilities of the HQ NRDC-ESP as WFC. And the second, to identify training opportunities between NATO elements (HQs and/or units) and the national defense forces of the countries that constitute that area of responsibility.

Following several months of dedicated effort to establish a network of contacts with military authorities in the host nations, the network has continued to expand and consolidate throughout the year, reaching the operational and strategic military levels of Slovakia and Hungary. The Army Corps authority has also been represented on specific occasions at the political level.

In the coming months, the CFE will focus its efforts on supporting the Multinational Battle Group Slovakia (MN BG SVK, deployed in Lešť) expansion to Brigade exercise and the alignment of Army Corps tactical plans with National defense plans.

As far as living conditions are concerned, use has been made of the facilities that the Malacky Air Base gave to the Spanish contingent, both for living and working areas. However, the construction of a future living and working area began at the outset and is now well advanced. This new area will allow the deployment of new capabilities as soon as it is completed.

Overall, the first year of CFE deployment in Slovakia was marked by significant challenges faced by the 35 men and women of the Kuchyňa Force, yet it was a highly valuable achievement.

Spain's participation in the protection of the eastern flank is a further demonstration of Spain's commitment to our allies and an example of Spain's determined contribution to the Alliance's deterrence efforts in Eastern Europe.