APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200090014-1
FIGURE 20. Spanish utility landing craft, similar to the French Edic class, taking part in an amphibious training exercise (U/OU)
air arm has approximately 115 designated aviators, including staff pilots.
Although the naval air arm's ASW and SAR capabilities have gradually improved during the past few years, primarily as a result of the introduction of more and new helicopters and an increase in operational experience, the all-helicopter operational force is still limited in size and scope of operations. As a result, it is incapable of fulfilling its primary mission. Airlift capability is inadequate to support naval infantry vertical assault operations, and attack helicopter support is in the developmental stage. Eight Hawker Siddeley Harrier aircraft are on order from the US Government.
E. Air force (S)
The missions of the air force are air defense of Spain and its overseas territories, tactical and logistical support of ground and naval forces, pilot training for the army and civilian airlines, military paratroop training, and the conduct of search and rescue (SAR) operations. In support of its operational missions, the Air Force is tasked to identify and intercept intruding aircraft, provide close air and reconnaissance support for the army and navy, assist naval surface and helicopter forces in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations, provide tactical transport support for all services and aerial refueling support for appropriate air force units, and provide aerial support for SAR operations.
The air force has air defense, tactical air, transport and logistical support capabilities, but lacks strategic capability. It has an excellent capability to meet its responsibilities against a minor air power or a combination of minor air powers, such as Algeria and Morocco, and to assist in the maintenance of internal security. Although its capability against a large, modern air force has been advanced through the acquisition of modern, high-performance aircraft, the air force is still too small and lacks requisite staying power. Unless it received external reinforcement and logistical support, it could not fulfill its missions against a major, modern air force.
The air defense force's potential to defend Spain and its overseas territories has been improved primarily as a result of the introduction of the French Mirage III-E and US F-4C Phantom supersonic all-weather fighter-bombers. However, despite its modernization of the interceptor force, the entire air defense system could be overwhelmed rapidly by a large, modern air force employing saturation attacks, low-level penetrations, and electronic countermeasures (ECM). Current major deficiencies in the system include the lack of fully combat-ready interceptor aircraft, inadequacies in the early warning/ground-controlled intercept (EW/GCI) radar and communications systems, and insufficient training. In addition, integration of the Spanish Army's air defense artillery (ADA) and surface-to-air missile (SAM) units into the active air defense force does not appear to have been accomplished effectively.
Tactical air capabilities are considerably restricted by the forced reliance on obsolescent and limited-capable piston and jet trainer-type aircraft, the lack of an effective tactical air control system, and currently, by the nonavailability of cameras for the RF-5A Freedom Fighter. The one air force fixed-wing ASW squadron works in conjunction with naval helicopters in providing aerial ASW patrol support to naval surface forces and reportedly flies daily missions. The squadron is considered to have only a moderate capability, given the obsolescence of its HU-16B
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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200090014-1
