Diplomatic and political relations with the United States are currently strained. So much so that the Government has not managed to form an inter-ministerial commission to coordinate Spain's participation in the events marking the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States. A working group in which Defense, Culture, and other Ministries were supposed to participate under the umbrella of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, mainly due to the reluctance of Ernest Urtasun, this commission has not been formed. Nevertheless, the common interests that unite the two countries remain strong despite the ideological abyss between the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, and the leader of the American administration, Donald Trump. Thus, although the Government wants to downplay the commemoration of the oldest democracy in the world, the Navy will be very present at the celebrations.
As confirmed by EL MUNDO, the group Dédalo, formed by the aircraft carrier Juan Carlos I, two frigates, and a combat supply ship, will be docked in New York on July 4, where they will coincide with the Juan Sebastián de Elcano.
While the main day will be July 4 itself, with a day in which the Spanish expeditionary group will participate in a naval review and the Navy's training ship will parade along the East River, the week from July 1 to 9 will be full of events, including a meeting on the British Queen Mary 2 and a fireworks display that will conclude the week. "The celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy has a strong international component under the motto For Navy and Nation! and focuses on highlighting the US Navy as a guarantor of freedom and prosperity for 250 years," explain official sources consulted by this newspaper. The Navy's presence will not be limited to the Independence Day of the United States, as the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Piñeiro, will participate in the events in October alongside 70 other allied nations of the United States. Between October 10 and 14 of that month, the central event will take place in Philadelphia, with a program of official acts and cultural activities.
The Navy has made an effort to fit these events into the maneuver schedules so that the Dédalo expeditionary group can participate on behalf of Spain, showing willingness for the relationships to be the best. The aircraft carrier Juan Carlos I, leading the Spanish delegation, has spent several months in dry dock at the Navantia shipyard in Puerto Real, where it has undergone an intensive inspection to change the propellers and will not return to the sea until the end of the year. The Navy's only aircraft carrier carries Harrier jets as its embarked air force, planes for which they are looking for ways to extend their lifespan as replacements are not available.
Like the Harriers of the United States and Italy, the Spanish ones should stop being used in 2028; however, Spain aspires to buy salvageable parts from the US Navy and the Marina Militare to be able to keep the planes operational for four more years. The Spanish government is very reluctant to acquire the natural replacement for these planes, the American F35, even though the Navy desires that model of fighter jets. They hope to maintain the embarked air force until a solution is found.
In parallel, Navantia is working on a viability plan to build a Spanish aircraft carrier with a longer takeoff runway that can accommodate other types of aircraft. A Turkish fighter model that would be compatible has been tested. Also, the sixth-generation fighter being developed by France, Germany, and Spain in a consortium, the FCAS, which will not be ready before 2042.
Despite the Government's reservations about buying American technology, the Navy demonstrates that the defense relationship is more important than politics. As allies in the NATO, Spain has faced decisions on military matters by Donald Trump since he took office. It was the only country that, after the Allies summit last July in The Hague, refused to reach the 5% defense investment, considering that the 2.1% could meet the objectives agreed with the organization. The decision was criticized by President Trump, but sources confirm that beyond politics, the relationship at the Defense Ministry level - between Margarita Robles and her counterpart, Pete Hegseth - is good and necessary.
The United States maintains two bases in Spain. In Rota, there are currently five US Navy destroyers deployed, and a sixth will be sent next January. There is also the Morón base. The usefulness of these bases was demonstrated last June in the Midnight Hammer operation against Iran. Days before, several American aerial refueling aircraft were stationed at the two bases, ready to refuel the B2 tanks in the air, allowing them to fly from the United States to Iran without stops.
The American administration also looks with interest at Navantia's work. Although nothing is finalized, from the previous president's era, Joe Biden, to the current one, they are monitoring the Spanish shipbuilding capacity due to the impossibility of assembling ships at the pace of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.
Therefore, political disagreements do not affect Defense, and the Navy will carry out Spain's major deployment on July 4.