Two NH90 helicopters from the Spanish Air and Space Force were activated in Romania after several unidentified drones were detected near allied airspace. The sortie marked the first Alpha Scramble involving a Spanish helicopter deployed on an international NATO mission, according to information published by Infodefensa.
The aircraft took off from Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base in Constanța, tasked with responding to the alert and, if necessary, neutralizing the unmanned systems. The drones disappeared before any intervention took place, and both NH90s returned to base.
The helicopters belong to the Paznic Tactical Air Detachment, which consists of around 200 personnel and is equipped with six F-18 fighter jets and three NH90s. From Romania, the contingent is taking part in NATO’s Persistent Effort operation, focused on air defense along the Alliance’s eastern flank.
A complementary role to the F-18s
The activation brings the NH90s into live air-defense alerts after the helicopters had primarily carried out transport and support missions. Their role is part of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence model, which combines quick-reaction aircraft, ground-based defenses, and capabilities against unmanned systems.
The commander of the Paznic detachment, Lt. Col. Alberto B. Calvo López, said the helicopters do not replace the F-18s but instead provide a complementary capability. While the fighter jets offer greater speed, range, and response capacity, the NH90s can be deployed against threats operating at low altitude, at lower speeds, or with less conventional patterns.
Infodefensa puts the number of Alpha Scramble sorties carried out by the detachment’s assets since their deployment at 37. The contingent also took part in the neutralization of a drone on August 16, 2026.
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