Spain takes over NATO air defense mission in Romania

Spain is assuming air defense responsibilities at the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base in Romania, replacing an Italian detachment. This transition marks an evolution in NATO's mission from Air Policing, which focuses on monitoring airspace integrity, to a broader Air Defence role.

The departing Italian detachment utilized Eurofighter aircraft to provide permanent Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) services, responding to “Alpha Scramble” alerts. During their deployment, Italian personnel accumulated approximately 300 flight hours and participated in NATO missions such as Neptune Strike 2026. They also conducted bilateral and multinational exercises with Romanian F-16 fighter jets, helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems.

This activity is part of Operation Eastern Sentry, launched in September 2025 to strengthen surveillance and defense along NATO's eastern flank, spanning from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. Cooperation between Italian and Romanian forces also included specialized training to counter drones and protect critical infrastructure.