Researchers from the EDCP Group analyze the social impact of the UME on citizens’ perceptions of the armed forces

Three researchers from the Research Group on Defense Economics, Cybersecurity and Protection (EDCP) of the University of Valencia have published an academic study analyzing how the actions of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) have contributed to improving the social perception of the Armed Forces in Spain. The work, authored by Virgilio Pérez, Cristina Aybar, and José Manuel Pavía, has been published in the international scientific journal Armed Forces & Society, a leading reference in the field of defense studies and civil–military relations.

The article examines the growing role of the UME in the management of civilian crises, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and in major natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, and extreme weather events. Based on a combined analysis of official data, georeferenced information on emergency interventions, and public opinion surveys, the authors assess the impact of these actions on citizens’ attitudes toward the military institution.

The findings of the study highlight that the UME has succeeded in consolidating itself as an actor of social cohesion, capable of conveying security, trust, and a sense of protection to the population. According to the researchers, the unit’s ability to unify criteria and operational protocols demonstrates one of the distinctive strengths of the Armed Forces: organizational discipline applied to civilian emergency contexts. Operations such as Balmis and Baluarte, carried out during the pandemic, are cited as paradigmatic examples of this contribution.

The results of this research have received significant media coverage, both within the academic sphere and in generalist and specialized media outlets. The study was disseminated through the institutional channels of the University of Valencia and the Network of Valencian Universities for the Promotion of Research, Development and Innovation (RUVID), and was subsequently covered by various media outlets, including Europa Press and El Periòdic, thereby reinforcing the social impact of the work and the public visibility of the research conducted by the EDCP group in the fields of defense economics, security, and protection.