Minister Margarita Robles highlights the commitment of the Army in her visit to the General Command of Ceuta

During her tour of the barracks 'El Hacho', headquarters of the Mixed Artillery Regiment No. 30, the minister praised the work of the military and the material provided to Ukraine.

Reaffirming commitment to peace and security

The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, visited this Monday the General Command of Ceuta, where she held a meeting with the different units of the Spanish Army stationed in the 'El Hacho' barracks. There she could see first hand the level of preparation of the Mixed Artillery Regiment No. 30, a unit specialized in artillery and anti-aircraft defense, two key capabilities in the current context of international conflicts.

During her visit, Robles also saw some of the military equipment that Spain is sending to Ukraine, reaffirming that "our commitment is to be at their side as long as necessary to defend peace".

A recognition of the military's dedication

In her speech before the troops of the Command, the minister said: "Ceuta cannot be understood without the Armed Forces and the Armed Forces cannot be understood without Ceuta", highlighting the value of coexistence and cooperation between civilian and military society. Robles thanked in person the effort of all the military deployed in the autonomous city: "As a minister and as a Spaniard, I am proud to be able to thank them for their daily work to make Spain a great country".

In addition, as is customary on his visits to Ceuta, he held a meeting with relatives of military personnel wounded or killed in the line of duty, to whom he expressed the recognition of the Ministry and of the whole of Spanish society. "If the Armed Forces are the most valued institution, it is also thanks to the families who support them always and at all times," he said.

Preparation and external projection

During the ceremony, the Commander General of Ceuta, Major General Luis Fernández Herrero, explained to the Minister the current status of the Command's operations and tasks, which include presence, surveillance and deterrence tasks, as well as the generation of operational organizations for missions both in national territory and abroad.

The Command also participates in the Cooperative Security Activities that the Army carries out in countries such as Senegal, Mauritania and Tunisia, strengthening the State's external action and defense diplomacy.

Current structure and deployments

In addition to the Mixed Artillery Regiment No. 30, the General Command of Ceuta integrates the Tercio 'Duque de Alba' 2nd of the Legion, the Regulares de Ceuta Group No. 54, the Cavalry Regiment 'Montesa' No. 3, the Engineer Regiment No. 7, the Logistics Unit No. 23 and the Headquarters Battalion. In total, it has about 2,600 military personnel, including 233 women.

During 2025, the troops of the Command have participated or will participate in operations abroad in countries such as Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Slovakia, reinforcing the international presence of the Spanish Armed Forces.

Source: https://www.defensa.gob.es/gabinete/notasPrensa/2025/05/DGC-250523-vista-ceuta.html