Major Military Modernisation Announced for the Canaries
The head of the Canary Islands Command, Lieutenant General Julio Salom, announced significant advances on Tuesday for modernising the military in the islands. Key developments include the arrival of Eurofighter jets under the ‘Plan Halcón’ and the renewal of radars in Gran Canaria and Lanzarote with latest-generation, nationally manufactured systems.
Security Challenges and International Context
During his speech at the Capitanía General de Canarias for the Military Easter ceremony, Salom addressed the situation regarding irregular immigration, particularly concerning minors. He stated that “not everything was joy in 2025” and praised the daily work of the Guardia Civil, National Police, Maritime Rescue, the Red Cross, and NGOs. He noted that while the Canaries remain an arrival point for the Atlantic route, there has been a drop of more than 60% compared to the previous year, thanks in part to cooperation with countries of origin.
On the international stage, the Lieutenant General acknowledged that the global situation remains marked by instability, referencing the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza, alongside other scenarios like Lebanon, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, and Sudan. In this context, he defended the need to continue transforming the Armed Forces to face current risks, stating that “Spain must have Armed Forces with a level of readiness and availability in line with the threats and our strategic situation.”
Strategic Role and Overseas Missions
Salom emphasised the operational role of the Canary Islands within the Land Operational Command, noting that the archipelago daily contributes to presence, surveillance, and deterrence missions in the islands, Ceuta, Melilla, the Balearics, and the national sovereign territories. His speech paid broad tribute to overseas missions, recalling the recent return of nearly 500 soldiers from the Canary Islands XVI Brigade from Lebanon—a mission he described as “as delicate as it is risky”—and the Canary Islands Command’s leadership of Spain’s NATO mission in Iraq.
He also highlighted military cooperation activities in Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde, Ghana, and Benin, stressing that the missions in Mauritania and Ghana “once again reaffirm the African vocation of our Command.”
Modernisation and the Human Factor
Salom dedicated a significant section to the modernisation of the Armed Forces, mentioning progress on the ‘Army 2035’ project and the progressive incorporation of new technologies. However, he was clear that the human factor remains key: “All of this would be worthless if it were not supported by our main asset: the soldiers, bearers of values and filled with a sense of duty.”
Tribute to Air, Naval, and Civil Guard Forces
The Lieutenant General also paid tribute to the Canary Islands Air Command, defining it as an “essential piece for the security of the archipelago.” He reported that the nearly 2,000 air personnel stationed in the islands fulfilled their permanent mission of surveillance and control of airspace in 2025, managing almost one million detected tracks and guaranteeing search and rescue coverage over an area exceeding 1.5 million square kilometres. “Our aviators guarantee the defence and air security of the Canaries every day,” he affirmed.
Regarding the Canary Islands Naval Command, he underlined the work of the Maritime Action Ships in both surveillance and deterrence operations in the waters of the Strait, Alboran, and the median line with Morocco, as well as deployments in West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
The Guardia Civil also featured prominently. Salom highlighted its intense activity in the Canaries, both in the fight against drug trafficking and in public safety and rescue operations. “Throughout 2025, more than 12,000 people were assisted and rescued,” he noted, praising their recognised “spirit of merit.” He also commended the work of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) during wildfires and floods both in the archipelago and on the mainland.
Future Challenges and Historical Commemoration
For this year, Salom outlined new operational and technological challenges, as well as a calendar full of historical anniversaries with special prominence for the Canaries. He highlighted the main commemoration of 2026: the 250th anniversary of the Spanish military contribution to the independence of the United States of America. “In this, Tenerife is present due to the role of the Gálvez family, Matías and his son Bernardo, both for their personal actions in Guatemala and Florida and for the weight of the more than 4,000 Canarian settlers in Louisiana who formed the basis for the creation of the Fixed Battalion,” he stated.
To mark this link, the Canary Islands Command will work with the Centre for Military History and Culture to bring exhibitions and conferences on the subject to Puerto de la Cruz.
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