THE United States is set to expand its military presence in Spain after formalising plans to revamp a strategically vital air base in Andalucia – despite lingering tensions between the two countries over the Iran war.
According to specialist defence publication The War Zone, the Pentagon is planning to expand Moron air base near Sevilla, one of two military sites in southern Spain that Madrid jointly operates with its allies in Washington.
The air base plays a major role in the ‘staging of aircraft and personnel in support of US and NATO plans, exercises and contingency operations’, according to a planning document outlining US military investment in 2027.
The works, which are expected to cost around $75 million (€65m), will include nine new parking spaces for B-52 Superfortress bombers – although this will reduce to three if the aircraft are carrying live munitions, such as powerful bunker-busting bombs.
The B-52 has a typical combat range of around 8,800 miles without aerial refueling and can carry up to 32,000kg of weapons, meaning the increased capacity will allow the US to conduct sophisticated offensive operations in Europe and the Middle East without the need to depend on other bases.
The project also includes ten new refuelling points, relocation of the civil engineering storage complex and widening of taxiway shoulders.
The US military says the revamp will ‘enhance readiness capabilities’ at the air base, ‘prompting a quick response and positioning of forces within prescribed response times’.
The planned expansion comes despite a bitter row between Spain and the US over the ongoing war in Iran.
In March, prime minister Pedro Sanchez decided to exercise a veto over the use of the two jointly-operated bases for operations in the Middle East amid fears that US-Israeli strikes on Tehran constituted a breach of international law.
That prompted a furious response from Washington, with Trump slamming Spain as a ‘terrible partner’ and threatening to impose a total trade embargo.
In May, Trump went even further and suggested he would ‘probably’ withdraw American troops from Rota and Moron air bases in Andalucia over Madrid’s outspoken criticism of the war.
But he then appeared to backtrack in July, praising Spain for ‘coming back all the way’ and agreeing to a payment request from the NATO security alliance.
The latest investment at Moron is not the only sign that Washington continues to see Spain as a vital military hub, with the US also pressing ahead with plans for a major revamp of Rota air base in Cadiz.
Known as Project FX74, the scheme is designed to support huge C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft operating from the base.
The planned works include a new aircraft hangar, runway upgrades, resurfacing, electrical systems, storage facilities, fire protection and enhanced security infrastructure at an estimated cost of around $500m (€430m).
US government contracting documents show the project remains active and was updated as recently as April, although it has yet to formally go out to tender.
Six companies based in Cadiz and Sevilla were also awarded a multi-project contract in April to modernise infrastructure at Rota.
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I’m glad to see there is an airbase named after you-know-who.