Eagle Eye 25-03 Operation to Enhance National Air Defence
Operation Dates and Objectives
Starting from Monday, 15 September, until 18 September, the skies over the Canary Islands and the Atlantic will host the activation of Eagle Eye 25-03. This operation aims to integrate air, land, and sea capabilities to strengthen national air defence.
The Eagle Eye 25-03 activation, led by the Air Operations Command and under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS), seeks to combine the resources of the Air and Space Force, Army, and Navy within the national air defence system to “enhance efficiency” in operations concerning presence, surveillance, and deterrence, as reported by the Defence Staff.
Coordination with Sinergia 25
Additionally, Eagle Eye coincides with other operational activities carried out by various Operational Commands, collectively known as Sinergia 25, which will take place from 15 to 21 September.
Within this framework, different units of the Armed Forces that continuously perform Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence Operations will bolster surveillance in areas of national interest by carrying out “synchronised and coordinated” operations overseen by the Operations Command.
Involvement of Air and Space Forces
In this edition of Eagle Eye, the third of 2025, six F-18 aircraft from Wing 12, stationed at Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base in Madrid, will participate in Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions. These services ensure the capability to be airborne within 15 minutes of detecting an unidentified track.
For this purpose, Wing 12 will deploy up to 60 military personnel, including aircrew and maintenance support staff, at Gando Air Base in Telde (Gran Canaria).
Commanding Officer Miguel Jiménez Barragán of Wing 12 expressed that “the entire unit is approaching the challenge of ensuring the security and air defence of Spain with enthusiasm and ambition.” He acknowledged it as a “great opportunity” for the integration of F-18 fighters with other land and naval assets in the Canary Islands.
Advanced Defence Integration
This deployment will also incorporate small-sized Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS LSS), with support from the Air Deployment Support Squadron (EADA), Army, Navy, and State Security Forces.
The Alert and Control Group (GRUALERCON), located at Gando Air Base, will monitor airspace using data from Air Surveillance Squadrons, along with inputs from land and naval units.
The command and control during the activation will be managed from the Air Operations Centre (AOC), based at Torrejón de Ardoz, which will also oversee tactical control for surveillance flights, air policing, and the defence of national sovereign airspace.
Army and Naval Contributions
For the Army’s part, the Anti-Air Defence Unit (UDAA) III-73 will be deployed around Gando Air Base to provide air defence, complementing airspace surveillance.
This joint operation, led by the “Cancerbero” Anti-Air Defence Unit is based on the Command of Anti-Air Artillery (MAAA) and supported by the III/73 Anti-Air Artillery Group (Marines-Valencia). It will comprise air defence systems such as HAWK, PATRIOT, MISTRAL, and 35/90 mm guns, ensuring comprehensive airspace monitoring and protection of assigned zones from aerial threats, all integrated within the Air Defence System (SDA).
The Navy’s contribution will come from the F-105 frigate Cristóbal Colón, which will operate in the Atlantic as part of the air defence system, providing significant additional surveillance and air defence capabilities.
Frigate commander, Captain Gabriel Pita da Veiga Subirats, remarked that Eagle Eye “is an opportunity to enhance interoperability” with the rest of the Armed Forces. He added that these integrations foster “increased mutual understanding and trust” to respond together to the “most demanding” situations.
Opportunities for Future Operations
Finally, it is noted that besides the activation of Eagle Eye 25-03, Sinergia 25 will present an “excellent opportunity” to conduct various actions across the different Operational Commands: Land, Maritime, Air, Cyber and Space.
This will enable terrestrial units to be deployed in Ceuta, Melilla, the Canary Islands, and the Balearics for surveillance and presence missions in sovereign and interest areas. Meanwhile, the MOM, through the activation Joint Shield, will deploy the Maritime Action Vessel (BAM) ‘Tornado’ in the Canary Islands and the Centinela Patrol Vessel in the Strait of Gibraltar, along with the Coastal Artillery Unit (UDACTA) in the Campo de Gibraltar region.
In this context of integrated defence, the MOC will oversee the monitoring of networks, while the MOESPA will provide products related to GPS precision and satellite overflights to benefit other operational commands and the MOPS. These military activations reflect their “core values,” including teamwork, dedication, and spirit of service, but above all, the “unwavering commitment” to the defence and security of Spain.
