Spain’s National Day Celebrated in the Spirit of Allied Military Cooperation
Text: HDF | Photo: Embassy of Spain | 10:35 October 15, 2026Spain’s national holiday also draws attention to the importance of defence cooperation between Hungary and Spain, two committed NATO allies. At a reception held in Budapest to mark the occasion, General Zsolt Sándor, Chief of Defence, represented the Hungarian Defence Forces, further strengthening the significance of military-to-military relations between the two countries.
Spain’s national holiday, October 12, commemorates an event of historic significance: it was on this day in 1492 that Christopher Columbus’s expedition reached the American continent. The sea voyage across the Atlantic was considered an extraordinary undertaking given the state of navigation at the time. The historical processes that unfolded in the wake of the expedition fundamentally reshaped the relationship between Europe and the American continent, and shaped the world’s political, economic and cultural development for centuries to come. Spain declared October 12 a national holiday in 1987.
General Zsolt Sándor said that the cooperation between the two countries continues to progress steadily, and that Spain is a reliable and strong ally of Hungary.
Both Hungary and Spain are committed members of NATO and the European Union, and play an active role in the Alliance’s collective defence. Cooperation is particularly important in strengthening the security of the eastern flank, where the joint presence, readiness and interoperability of allied forces all contribute to deterrence, emphasised General Zsolt Sándor.
An important example of cooperation between land forces is the NATO Multinational Brigade Task Force operating in Slovakia, of which Spanish units also form part. Spanish soldiers serving in the region were able to put their skills to the test in the Bakony Mountains this May during Exercise Strong Lineage 2026.
Hungarian-Spanish military cooperation has also yielded tangible results in the Baltic region. In 2025, the Hungarian and Spanish air forces simultaneously took part in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing Mission. Hungarian Gripen aircraft and Spanish Eurofighters, operating from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania under NATO command, contributed to the security of the Baltic states’ airspace. The co-deployment and the associated training flights have strengthened cooperation between the two air forces and their ability to act effectively together in allied operations.
The reception in Budapest thus provided an opportunity to mark a historic anniversary, to strengthen ties between Hungary and Spain, and to enhance cooperation within the NATO Alliance. The preparedness, exchange of experience and cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries remain of crucial importance in responding to common security challenges.
