General

The armed forces of Spain are known as the Spanish Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Españolas). Their Commander-in-Chief is the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, and consists of:

• Army (Ejército de Tierra);
• Navy (Armada);
• Air Force (Ejército del Aire).
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The Military Police (Guardia Civil) serves for the most part as a rural and general purpose police force. The Spanish Armed Forces are a modern military force charged with defending the Kingdom's integrity and sovereignty. The Armed Forces are also active members of NATO, the Eurocorps, and the European Union Battlegroups.

In 2002 the active armed forces totaled 177,950, of whom approximately 9,400 were women. Reservists numbered 328,500 for all three services. The 118,800-member army was armed with 682 main battle tanks. The navy had 26,950 members, including 700 naval aviators and 5,600 marines. Equipment included 1 aircraft carrier, 15 frigates, 8 submarines, 37 coastal and patrol combatants, and various mine warfare and transport vessels. The air force had 22,750 personnel and 198 combat aircraft. The civil guard numbered about 72,600. Spain provided troops to UN and peacekeeping missions in six regions. In 2002 Spain spent $8.6 billion on defense or 1.2% of GDP.

Overview

Military branches:
Spanish Armed Forces: Army (Ejercito de Tierra), Spanish Navy (Armada Espanola, AE; includes Marine Corps), Spanish Air Force (Ejercito del Aire Espanola, EdA) (2006)

Military service age and obligation:
20 years of age (2004)

Manpower available for military service:
males age 20-49: 9,366,588
females age 20-49: 9,155,057 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:
males age 20-49: 7,623,356
females age 20-49: 7,434,465 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males age 18-49: 233,384
females age 20-49: 221,805 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.2% (2005 est.)