The Círculo Ecuestre paid tribute to Lieutenant General Manuel Busquier with a colloquium held this Tuesday, coinciding with the end of his active service as Inspector General of the Spanish Army. The event was presented and moderated by Enrique Lacalle, president of the Círculo Ecuestre, who presented the lieutenant general with a plaque in recognition of his professional career.
During his remarks, Manuel Busquier noted that the war in Ukraine has marked a turning point for European armed forces and for the very concept of armed conflicts. “The conflict with Ukraine has now lasted almost four years, and this has completely changed the perception of the battlefield,” he stated, emphasizing the shift from low-intensity scenarios to “a high-intensity conflict that is taking place in Europe.”
The lieutenant general stressed at the Barcelona club that this new context necessitates accelerating the modernization of military capabilities, especially in the technological sphere. “Today, the battlefield is very transparent,” he explained, referring to the massive use of drones and unmanned systems that allow for real-time intelligence gathering and drastically reduce the element of surprise. “By the seventh or eighth wave, there is already a clear understanding of the targets to be engaged,” he noted.
Busquier also warned of the economic challenge posed by new combat models, contrasting the low cost of some offensive systems with the high price of defensive mechanisms: “We are talking about drones that cost a few thousand euros versus missiles that cost hundreds of thousands.”
In this context, he emphasized the role of the Spanish Army as a reliable partner within NATO, the European Union, and international missions, highlighting both its technical preparedness and its ability to integrate with the civilian population in deployment areas. “Today, the problem is in Eastern Europe, and we are all part of Eastern Europe,” he stated, underscoring the shared dimension of security on the continent.
In his farewell address, Manuel Busquier expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he received during his time in Catalonia and emphasized the importance of strengthening the relationship between the Army and civil society. He also stressed the need to more clearly explain the role of the Armed Forces and their commitment to serving the public.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of gifts by the State Security Forces, in a gesture of appreciation and recognition for his long service and his dedication to the Armed Forces and society.