La Álvarez de Sotomayor Base, in Viator (Almería), has become these days one of the most important stages in Spain for testing new solutions of drone defenseIn this training and firing range, the Spanish Army has conducted an advanced exercise to experiment with C/UAS (Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems), an area now considered essential in current conflicts.
For several consecutive days, from January 19 to 22Units from the Legion and specialists from the Future Force Center have rehearsed how to detect, identify, and neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles in an environment as close as possible to a real combat situation, combining sensors, jammers, and interception systems under a common command and control structure. Solutions such as the [missing information - likely a specific device or system] were also tested on this occasion. Iron Beam laser system and other complementary technologies.
A key exercise for Force 35 and the Force 2035 project
The exercise, organized by Center for Future Power —integrated into the Plans Division of the Army General Staff—, is part of the process of transforming the force towards the concepts of Force 35 and Force 2035, which pursue a profound modernization of Spanish land capabilities.
La King Alfonso XIII II Brigade of the Legion, based in Viator, has acted as Experimental Brigade (BRIEX)This solidifies its role as a benchmark for evaluating new systems before their potential integration into other units. Its function is to test equipment, tactics, and procedures to assess their suitability for the Army's future structure.
On this occasion, the priority has been the defense against unmanned aerial vehiclesThis type of threat has become widespread in recent conflicts in Europe and other regions. The proliferation of drones of varying sizes and capabilities is forcing militaries to develop specific solutions to minimize their impact on troops and sensitive positions.
According to the Army, the work has focused on the brigade levelintegrating all types of sensors and effectors, both kinetic (capable of physically destroying the target) and non-kinetic (inhibitors, disruptors or electronic warfare systems), into a "layered and multi-domain" defense.
These maneuvers are considered especially relevant for the Spain's contribution to NATO's collective defense, particularly in the reinforcement of the Alliance's Eastern Flank, where the presence of hostile drones has become a common factor to consider in any deployment.
Viator, a laboratory for technological solutions against drones
It is no accident that Almería and, specifically, the Viator base have become established as a benchmark for testing next-generation technologies for the Armed Forces. The Álvarez de Sotomayor training area has become a regular setting for testing capabilities that could be incorporated into the operational arsenal of the Army, as demonstrated by initiatives in specialized centers and laboratories such as the drone laboratory of the University of Burgos.
This exercise involved C/UAS more than a hundred military observers Teams from various units have traveled to Viator to see firsthand the different pieces of equipment under evaluation. Their role is not only to observe, but also to analyze the systems' performance, provide feedback, and suggest improvements.
For four days, intensive work has been carried out on the airspace managementThis is one of the most sensitive aspects of drone defense. The goal is to be able to to distinguish at all times between friendly and potentially hostile platformsavoiding interference with friendly media and allowing the command to make quick and well-founded decisions.
In practice, this involves coordinating radars, radio frequency sensors, optical and tracking systems, as well as neutralization capabilities, so that they can share data seamlessly. All of this is facilitated through a common command and control architecture which serves as the "brain" of the defense.
The maneuvers have also allowed for adjustments to operating procedures and coordination between different units, something fundamental when it comes to responding to small, fast, and changing aerial threats such as modified commercial drones or unmanned systems for military use.
A layered defensive "great spider web"
The colonel Alberto Quero, head of the Future Force 2035 Center, has summarized the system's approach as a layered defensive architectureThe idea is to deploy different rings of protection, from the front line to the rear, overlapping each other to minimize the chances of an enemy drone reaching its target.
In this model, each company contributes one or more subsystemsAll of these are integrated through a single command and control system. This creates a network that combines radar sensors, radio frequency detection equipment, optoelectronic systems, jammers, and physical interception solutions.
The specialists compare the result with a "great web" of security which extends over the area to be protected. If a drone penetrates that space, it is detected, tracked and, if necessary, neutralized by one of the levels of the system, depending on its flight profile and the threat it represents.
This phased approach also seeks to optimize resources: not all drones require the same response, and the system allows choosing between different options, from the signal inhibition up to direct interception using specific platforms, depending on the tactical situation.
The experience gained in Viator will be used to adjust both the technology and the tactics, techniques and procedures, with a view to a possible future acquisition by the Ministry of Defense of those systems that demonstrate their effectiveness and reliability in the real operating environment.
National industry and SMEs, key players in the defense of C/UAS
One of the most outstanding features of the exercise has been the broad participation of the national defense industry, including a significant number of Spanish small and medium-sized enterprises. The objective is to strengthen the technological sovereignty and strategic autonomy in an area as sensitive as the fight against drones.
In total, six Spanish companies They showcased their solutions for integration into a global C/UAS defense system at the Viator airbase. These solutions include: Suite ACRE, Destinus, Advex, ART, Amper and GMV, which have contributed everything from specialized sensors to data fusion software and neutralization platforms.
The presence of this business network allows the Army to have technology tailored to your specific needs, with greater scope for making adjustments, evolutions and continuous improvements based on the operational experience accumulated by the units.
For companies, these exercises represent a real opportunity to validate your developments In a demanding military environment, with the possibility that their products will eventually be adopted as part of official equipment, the transfer of innovation from design and prototyping to actual operational capability is one of the central objectives of these workshops.
From an industrial policy perspective, this type of collaboration contributes to to strengthen Spain's technological and defense base, promoting the competitiveness of companies in the European and international market and reducing dependence on external suppliers in critical technologies.
Testing under demanding conditions: the case of the Hornet interceptor
The maneuvers have also served to test how the systems behave in unfavorable weather conditionsDuring the final day, strong gusts of wind at the Álvarez de Sotomayor Base, between 18 and 24 kilometers per hour, complicated the development of some planned demonstrations.
One of the most significant examples was that of Hornet interceptor systemDeveloped by the company Destinus. Windy conditions forced a delay in its launch, and the cancellation of the test was even considered, given that the safety and reliability of the system take precedence over any demonstration.
Finally, when the wind died down, they were able to proceed to interceptor takeoff from its launchpadThe system then began its mission against two drones that simulated enemy aircraft, allowing real-time observation of its ability to detect, track, and neutralize these threats.
The Hornet test is part of the search for active interception solutions that complement jammers and other non-kinetic means. In a scenario where drones can operate autonomously or with electronic warfare-resistant links, having physical interceptors adds an additional layer of security.
The results obtained in exercises like this will allow the Army to assess which combination of resources — jammers, radars, optical systems and interceptors — offers the best balance between effectiveness, cost and ease of deployment in different theaters of operations.
All this effort in the drone defense at the Legion base in Viator This reflects the extent to which the threat from unmanned aerial vehicles has become a central factor in military planning. The experience gained in these exercises, the participation of the Legion as an experimental brigade, and the involvement of Spanish industry point to a clear path forward: progressively strengthening the protection of deployed forces and... critical infrastructures through integrated, flexible C/UAS systems capable of adapting to the constant evolution of the battlefield.
