Spain Conducts Largest Air Force Exercise Near Disputed Undersea Mountain

Spain is determined to defend its strategic spaces, including the Tropic submarine, a mountain located 500 kilometers south of El Hierro, and which constitutes one of the largest rare earth reserves in the world. Exercise Sirius consisted of the simulation of an armed conflict between two imaginary countries, Feroxia and Bluceronia, for the control of the resources of the submarine mountain, relays Huffpost.

These maneuvers allowed Spain to assess its ability to react to possible attacks by Morocco, which claims its sovereignty over the Tropic mountain. The exercise mobilized a fifth of the Spanish fighter fleet. In detail, no less than 27 aircraft flew over the Canary Islands, including 11 Eurofighters, 16 F-18s and Predator drones, as well as three F-16 fighters from Portugal, a country that has maritime interests in the region due to its proximity to Madeira.

Paratroops, rescue helicopters and the Spanish Navy frigate Blas de Lezo also took part in the operation. In total, 600 soldiers actively participated in these maneuvers, supported by 900 other soldiers in logistics and communication functions. Exercise Sirius is a clear message from Spain to the world and in particular to Morocco, to signify that it is ready to fend off any potential threat and defend its interests in the Atlantic.