HQ NRDC-ESP

Operations Centre

Signature on the evaluation certificate

Professional Day at the exercise

The NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Headquarters (HQ NRDC-ESP), based in Bétera (Spain), concluded today the LOYAL LEDA 2026 (LOLE26) exercise, its main training activity of the year.

For several weeks, it has deployed its Command Post in Paterna Military Base (Valencia), simulating a demanding scenario, designed to train and validate its ability to plan, coordinate and conduct large-scale land operations as Headquarters for high-intensity operations within the framework of NATO (Warfighting Corps).The exercise has helped to consolidate command and control procedures, interoperability between allied nations, and the integration of innovative systems and tools applied to the decision-making process.

Today's events included visits from numerous national and NATO military authorities. Visitors were able to see first-hand how the deployed Command Post operates, as well as the technological and organisational capabilities employed during the exercise, in a realistic and highly demanding operational environment.

Lieutenant General Luis Sáenz Rocandio, Commander of HQ NRDC-ESP, emphasised that ‘Loyal Leda 2026 has served to demonstrate our deployment capabilities, our ability to integrate into a multinational environment and to exercise command and control in a high-intensity scenario. This exercise reinforces our preparedness and confirms that we are ready to fulfil any mission that NATO may entrust to us.’

LOYAL LEDA 2026 has enabled HQ NRDC-ESP to maintain and strengthen its capabilities as a Warfighting Corps, contributing directly to NATO's deterrence and collective defence posture. With this activity, HQ NRDC-ESP has revalidated its certification as an army corps headquarters for high-intensity operations, initially obtained in 2021, reaffirming its readiness to deploy and assume command of large multinational forces when required by the Alliance.

About HQ NRDC-ESP

NATO's Rapid Deployable Headquarters in Spain, based in Bétera (Valencia), is one of the Alliance's nine high-readiness command structures. Under Spanish leadership and with personnel from 13 allied nations, including Spain, HQ NRDC-ESP is prepared to deploy and conduct high-intensity operations in any scenario in accordance with NATO's international commitments.