The Expeditionary Task Group ‘Dédalo’ operates in the Mediterranean Sea under Allied Command

For two days, Spanish Navy warships sailed under the command and control of NATO Naval Strike and Support Forces and trained together in a series of simulated long-range live-fire attacks.

On June 26 and 27, the Expeditionary Task Group ‘Dédalo’ joined NATO Naval Strike and Support Forces (STRIKFORNATO), based in Oeiras, Portugal, to conduct the joint operational activities ‘Neptune Strike 25’ (of a defensive nature)  in Mediterranean waters, as a clear sign of Spain's commitment to the Alliance and maritime security.

Under the command and control of STRIKFORNATO, the ships comprising the ‘Dédalo’ Task Group executed long-range attacks from the central Mediterranean against live-fire training areas in Croatia, Slovakia, and Romania. In this context, the flight missions of the ‘Harrier’ aircraft taking off from the flagship LHD ‘Juan Carlos I’, were supported by multinational joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs) on the ground in those nations. These JTACs are qualified to direct the actions of military aircraft involved in close air support and other offensive air operations from a forward position. In the case of Slovakia and Romania, the JTACs were Spanish military personnel from NATO missions deployed in those countries.

Furthermore, since these exercises also involved the use of the airspace of various countries, an essential part of these flight missions were conducted thanks to the in-flight refueling capability using multipurpose tanker aircraft provided by different air forces.

Regarding this integration and the training opportunity, Rear Admiral Antonio González del Tánago de la Lastra, Commander of the Spanish Expeditionary Task Group, said that "the transfer of authority of our operational group demonstrates Spain's sustained commitment to NATO's broader deterrence and assurance measures". He underlined that "the increase in the capabilities of our forces reflects the successful process of improvement and adaptation to new global security challenges in recent years. Overall, combined and joint multi-domain operations with the Allies foster interoperability and mutual trust."

The Expeditionary Task Group ‘Dédalo 25-2’ is equipped, trained, and ready to intervene in all domains: maritime, aerospace, land, and cyberspace, using a wide range of assets and advanced technology. These assets, as well as their tactics and procedures, are interoperable with other military services, as well as with the navies and armies of allied countries. Furthermore, they are capable of being deployed worldwide for extended periods of time carrying out long-range attacks on multi-domain battlefields (sea, air, land), as well as in the cyber domain.

The deployment of the ‘Dédalo 25-2’ Group will continue until July 7, in the waters of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, after sailing through the Strait of Gibraltar. Its composition is structured around the LHD ‘Juan Carlos I’, with ‘Harrier’ fighters and helicopters, accompanied by the amphibious assault ship LPD ‘Galicia’, the multipurpose frigate (FFGHM) ‘Blas de Lezo’ –with enhanced air defense capabilities–, the AOR ‘Cantabria’ as well as a Reinforced Landing Battalion and an Embarked Air Unit.

These deployments demonstrate the Spanish Navy's capability to lead and project an expeditionary force at sea and from the sea. At the same time, if so required, they can integrate and operate with other allied units or groups. Therefore, Spanish forces are part of a small group of NATO countries that can enforce freedom of navigation, secure maritime chokepoints, and protect the critical sea lines of communication. The Spanish Navy recently demonstrated these capabilities by contributing to NATO's largest live exercise in 2025 ‘Steadfast Dart’, and to the ‘Neptune Strike’ peacetime surveillance exercise, which is regularly conducted in NATO maritime areas.