General Alejandre (1): “La razón última de nuestras Fuerzas Armadas es defender a España y a los españoles con las armas”

For two years and nine months, Army General Fernando Alejandre has assumed the highest command that a military officer can hold in today's Spain, that of Chief of Defence Staff, JEMAD. He was chosen for the post by Minister María Dolores de Cospedal and appointed in March 2017 by President Mariano Rajoy. He was dismissed in January 2020 by President Pedro Sánchez and relieved of his duties by the current head, Margarita Robles.

This interview is due to the fact that, at the age of 66, he has just published a book entitled "Rey servido y patria honrada", a volume that is intended to be his legacy and which is based on his national and international military experience, in peace and operations abroad, during more than 46 years of service. In measured, prudent and polite sentences, he sets out his coincidences and discrepancies in the exercise of Spain's highest military responsibility.

People of both sexes and ages who know him well express their views on his personal and professional traits. As is evident, each of the people consulted gave their opinion in different words and comments. In general, they describe him as a natural-born military man "devoted body and soul to his profession", an "active, open-minded and strong-willed man", who has "worked hard to increase his knowledge" in a wide range of military, humanistic and scientific disciplines.

On a personal level, some highlight his "humanity, concern and warmth of manner, especially with his subordinates". Another highlights his "sense of humour and finesse", which makes him bring a smile to his interlocutors' faces in conversations at close range. A third underlines his "art of capturing the attention of the audiences he addresses". His secret? He prepares his speeches conscientiously.

Something that is worth highlighting is the "strength and good intellectual and professional anchoring of his convictions", says a military man with whom he has shared years of missions and postings. But there is more. This goes hand in hand with the fact that he has the courage to stand up for what he believes in and take it to its ultimate consequences. Not many are willing to do so.

But he is no 'superman'. He is just a Spanish officer with a spirit of service, satisfied to be part of the XXXIV promotion of the General Military Academy of Zaragoza, belonging to the Arm of Engineers, whose military virtues were developed in the school of command that is the Parachute Brigade and whose career and capabilities led him to be chosen to lead those who wear khaki, sky blue or navy blue uniforms.

No matter how hard he tried, it was difficult for a person like this to find a place in a government environment where weapons systems were euphemistically referred to as "offensive material". In short, a leader whose deeds and sayings are indicative of his love for his homeland, something that some fail to grasp because of their localist, globalist or sectarian dimensions.

Is the tension that has arisen between Madrid and Algiers over the Sahara issue going to have any short-term repercussions on the Spanish armed forces?

In my view, there should be no change. However, the lack of understanding between our two neighbours and the absence of an exquisite relationship with the south always hampers our level of knowledge and, with it, our surveillance capacity, which is fundamental to maintaining our national security.

Algeria and Morocco have been at loggerheads for decades and, moreover, are in completely different orbits geostrategically. That is why I argue in my book that we need to look more towards North Africa, which means establishing confidence-building measures with our southern neighbours without which deterrence does not work. It is worth noting that we have never conducted military manoeuvres with Algeria, and hardly ever with Morocco in the last 20 years.

From your knowledge of the evolution of the military campaign in Ukraine, what solutions do you envisage to put an end to the armed conflict?

It is clear to me that there is no way out other than negotiation, to reach an agreement between the parties. I perceive that Ukraine will be forced to cede territory in exchange for peace, which is a bad deal, because it indicates that Russia, on the next occasion, could demand more territory. The alternatives are the fall of Kiev, which clearly must be avoided, or nuclear war, which is far worse and would trigger a world war. I reiterate. The solution I see as most plausible is an agreement that is the least damaging to both sides.

Does Spain have the military potential and the appropriate weapons systems to deter the threats it faces? Which ones do you miss the most?

Right now we still have that military potential. In my view, our most serious shortcomings are in the field of intelligence, command and control and hybrid warfare, understood as cyber defence and cyber attack. Right now we should be very concerned about what we can do or not do in certain geographical areas to neutralise or block possible actions by opposing forces. Those are the capabilities that, because they are joint, affected me most directly while I was JEMAD.

Until the war in Ukraine, the perception of many of our high authorities and of a large majority of Spaniards was that we were in an environment of goodwill, under an invisible security umbrella and without direct threats. But the situation has changed in less than 30 days. This is the opportunity for what?

Undoubtedly it is the opportunity to change our perception. To stop worshipping a Hare Krishna approach to society and to be fully aware that the bad guy is lurking, waiting for us to make a mistake, to fail, to pounce on us. Trusting does not mean not being vigilant.

Having a law that regulates the procurement of weapons systems and equipment in the medium and long term is an unfinished business. You say that the position of the political parties is one of support or rejection, in direct proportion to whether they are in government or in opposition. Are you optimistic that, in view of the consequences of the war in Ukraine, this longed-for law will become a reality?

I am optimistic, but I have many doubts. Now is the opportunity? Well, yes, because if it is not, you can tell me when the time is right. There are major state policies that, in addition to those of Education and Home Affairs, are linked to Foreign Affairs and Defence, which for this reason must transcend governments, be agreed upon by consensus and be reviewed periodically to adjust to the times. This multi-year law is essential in order to know what needs to be done, in what timeframe and with what resources. Our closest European neighbours, France and Portugal, have had such laws for decades, as have many other countries.

You say that the right to dissent or disagree goes through three stages: trying to enrich the judgment of the decision-maker; if necessary, expressing opposition or rejection in a polite and disciplined manner; and finally, avoiding putting discipline and subordination at risk and, consequently, asking to be relieved. Are these criteria also shared by the Spanish political authorities you have met?

Generally speaking, his life experience has been shaped by other parameters, which are neither better nor worse, simply different. If the first two stages have failed, what I demand is to have the capacity, without misunderstanding, to be relieved.

What do you want to make abundantly clear by publishing "Rey servido y patria honrada"?

That Spanish society should know that the raison d'être of the Spanish Armed Forces, like those of France, Australia, China, Argentina, etc., is to train soldiers to fight, to cause casualties to the enemy and to die if necessary. It sounds very strong, but that is how it is and we cannot and should not hide it. Ask the Ukrainians! Until we realise this, we will be jeopardising the fulfilment of the mission entrusted to the military. And this is not clear to our political leadership, whatever colour it may be.

We are there to deter and, when that fails, to defend. It is as simple as that. Volcanoes are not our enemies, they are unbridled forces of nature to which we must respond and against which the military, temporarily, may have to occupy a place in the vanguard. However, Spain's real enemies have eyes, wield a rifle, fire missiles and have an iron will. And against them there is no other tool than the Armed Forces.

Volcanoes have no will, nor did the storm Philomena. By this I mean that the ultimate purpose of our Armed Forces is to defend Spain and the Spanish people with arms. Our forefathers did it and now it is up to us to pass on a free and prosperous Spain to future generations.