Defence Minister Margarita Robles tours infantry academy and drone unit

Defence Minister Margarita Robles visited the Infantry Academy of Toledo, where she closed the academic year that saw 425 students complete their training. She highlighted the role of initial military education in building a modern, professional force and announced an inter‑ministerial project to create a new higher‑level vocational qualification for infantry sub‑officers, linking military training more closely with the national education system.

Robles also inspected the UME’s V BIEM unit at El Ferral, reviewing its drone and underwater capabilities. The unit, which currently employs about 40 personnel, aims to reach a strength of roughly 100 by the end of the year. She was briefed on recent operations, including a judicial investigation in Asturias, a toxic‑gas incident in Béjar, the rescue of a speleologist in Valporquero, and the Spanish contingent’s work in Venezuela, where the mission monitors 64,000 missing people. The minister praised the team’s efficiency, coordination and morale.