Chief of the Plans Division
Vice Admiral Ignacio Paz García
VA Ignacio Paz García was born in Ferrol (Corunna) in 1966. In 1986 he joined the Naval Academy graduating as Lieutenant Junior Grade in July 1991.
He served on board the following naval units: corvette ‘Infanta Cristina’, minesweeper ‘Sil’, and frigates ‘Asturias’ and ‘Numancia’. He has been Commanding Officer of the patrol boat ‘Acevedo’, minehunter ‘Sella’, frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ and training tall-ship ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’. He has also been Chief of Operations of NATO’s maritime group SNMG-2 on board the Italian Navy ships ‘Durand de la Penne’ and ‘Zeffiro’. He has also served several times in the Fleet Projection Group and the SP HRF (M) HQ (SPMARFOR). Furthermore, he worked at the Combat Assessment and Qualification Center (CEVACO), an organization responsible for the operational readiness of the Fleet warships.
VA Paz served in different international missions like the first Gulf War (1991 ‘Infanta Cristina’), the Adriatic Conflict (1996, frigate ‘Asturias’), the Kosovo Conflict (1998-99, frigate ‘Numancia’) and Operations ‘Ocean Shield 2008’ and ‘Active Endeavor 2009’.
Ashore, he was assigned to the Private Office of the Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy (AJEMA), the Naval Education Directorate and the Strategic Plans Division of the Naval Staff.
A highlight in his career was his tenure as Aid-de-Camp of His Majesty King Juan Carlos I and King Felipe VI for three and a half years.
VA Paz has an Armed Forces’ Staff Diploma and a National Defense Diploma. He is a specialist in Submarine Weapons and has courses on Tactical Action, Damage Control and MCM Operations.
In July 2021 he was promoted to Rear Admiral and appointed Secretary General of the Spanish Navy General Staff (JUL 21 – OCT 22), and Director of Naval Education (OCT 22 – DEC 23). In December 2023 he was promoted to Vice Admiral and appointed Director of Personnel. In June 2025 he was appointed Chief of the Plans Division.
Vice Admiral Paz has been awarded several national and international decorations (NATO and UE medals).
VA Paz is married to Lourdes Armada and they have four children. He lives in Colmenar Viejo (Madrid) and is fond of reading and sports.