The General Inspection of the Army (IGE) celebrated the 244th edition of the traditional Military Easter, marking the start of the military year. The event gathered civil and military authorities, including the Catalan Minister of Interior, Núria Parlon, and the Government Delegate in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto.
During his speech, Lieutenant General Busquier, Institutional Representative of the Armed Forces in Catalonia, reviewed the past year's activities and outlined objectives for 2026. He emphasized the “complex international context” and “geopolitical uncertainty,” citing conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, the situation in Gaza, and instability in the Sahel.
“"This strategic crossroads and geopolitical uncertainty demands greater preparation and modernization of military capabilities."
Busquier highlighted the Armed Forces' commitment to peace, noting the deployment of 4,000 Spanish personnel in external missions under the umbrella of NATO, the European Union, and the United Nations. He also focused on the Fuerza 2035 modernization roadmap, aimed at providing the Army with a more modular and technologically advanced structure.
The ceremony underscored the vocation of service to Spanish society, particularly through the Military Emergency Unit (UME), which played a crucial role in recent civil support operations, such as responding to the DANA storm and fighting forest fires in Catalan regions. Notably, the Government of Salvador Illa attended for the second consecutive year, ending a decade of absence by previous independentist governments.
