Spanish NH90 Helicopters Scramble During NATO Mission in Romania

Two Spanish Air and Space Force NH90 helicopters deployed with the Paznic detachment took off from Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base in Romania on November 6, 2026, in response to unidentified drones. Spain’s Defense Staff, known as EMAD, described the launch as the first operational scramble by a Spanish helicopter on an international NATO mission.

Key details

• The Paznic detachment began its NATO enhanced Air Policing rotation in Romania on July 31, 2026, with the deployment scheduled to continue through the end of November.
• The reported deployment included seven F/A-18M fighters, one A400M tanker, three NH90 helicopters, and about 200 personnel.
• NATO said the NH90 helicopters would join the rotation’s final phase for counter-drone duties, complementing the fighters.
• EMAD reported that the detachment had flown 37 Alpha scramble sorties by November 6.

EMAD called it the first operational scramble by a Spanish helicopter on an international NATO mission.

Why it matters

The detachment combines fighter aircraft, a tanker, and helicopters in one air-policing rotation. The NH90s’ counter-drone role adds a helicopter component to the deployment’s final phase.