Spain’s Air and Space Force has launched Sirio-Dragón-Tormenta 26 (SDT26), its largest air-training exercise of 2026 by the number of participating units, capabilities and deployed assets. Running from 19 to 30 October across military bases and airfields, the exercise brings together Eurofighter and F-18 fighters, transport and tanker aircraft, surveillance platforms, helicopters and special operations units in a live-force scenario.
All five Spanish fighter wings—Wings 11, 12, 14, 15 and 46—are participating, alongside Wings 31, 35 and 45, which provide airlift and aerial refuelling capabilities. Search-and-rescue and special operations elements include Wings 48 and 49 and the Parachute Sapper Squadron, while combat-support units also contribute to the exercise.
SDT26 combines command-post training with real forces under a LIVEX format. It is designed to assess the ability to plan and conduct air operations, maintain operational readiness and rapidly generate deployable air organisations. Command and control is being coordinated from the Spanish Joint Force Air Component at Torrejón Air Base, together with the GRUCEMAC and GRUNOMAC control centres. Elements of the JFAC have deployed to Pollensa Military Airfield in Mallorca as an advanced headquarters.
A NATO E-3 airborne early-warning and control aircraft is also taking part. Secondary estimates put daily activity at about 30 aircraft and 30 to 50 sorties, with 374 sorties planned overall. The aircraft mix reportedly includes Predator B remotely piloted aircraft, A400Ms, C-295s, CN-235s and S-76 helicopters.