Spanish Army Deploys More Than 100 Troops to Monitor Strait of Gibraltar
More than a hundred Spanish troops have been deployed on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar, along with artillery pieces and surveillance equipment. The Spanish Army is strengthening its monitoring of maritime traffic in this strategic area, near Morocco.
Spain’s 4th Coastal Artillery Regiment (RACTA 4) mobilized its personnel and equipment for the operation. Guns, sensors and communications systems were installed at various points along the Strait. According to a statement published on November 13 by the Spanish General Staff, the unit works in constant coordination with the Spanish Navy’s maritime operational command.
The troops are tasked with detecting, tracking and identifying ships crossing the Strait. They must also gather intelligence on activities that could be of interest to maritime security. The deployment enables coordination between land-based surveillance assets and those of the Navy.
A company from the Asturias 31 Infantry Regiment, based in El Goloso, near Madrid, was mobilized to protect the troops and equipment deployed in the field.
The Spanish General Staff lists the operation as part of its presence, surveillance and deterrence missions. The deployment also provided an opportunity to work on information-sharing between coastal artillery and naval units. RACTA 4 is the only Spanish Army formation specifically organized and trained to carry out coastal defense missions throughout the country.
