Frigate 'Blas de Lezo' and AOR 'Cantabria' will call at the port of Malaga

• Both ships are part of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2) and they plan to call at the port of Malaga before starting their participation in the Spanish Navy FLOTEX-22 exercise

The crews of warships 'Blas de Lezo' and 'Cantabria', integrated into NATO's Standing Maritime Group 2, are scheduled to call at the port of Malaga on June 10 together with the Canadian frigate 'Montreal'. This will be an entry into port before starting its participation as SNMG-2 in the Navy exercise FLOTEX-22. This exercise will take place between June 13 and 24.

Since the 'Blas de Lezo' frigate has add up more than 140 days away from its base sice joining the SNMG-2 on January 25 and has sailed over 20,000 nautical miles, mostly in the Eastern Mediterranean. She has been conducting enhanced surveillance and collaborating with NATO’s units contributing to deterrence and defence from the sea.

Also, the Fleet Replenishment Ship 'Cantabria' joined the NATO group on May 10, accumulating 39 days of deployment in which she has sailed some 7,900 miles. In addition to participating in missions together with the 'Blas de Lezo' in the Eastern Mediterranean, she has made fifteen supply manoeuvres to the ships integrated in the SNMG-2.

The 'Blas de Lezo' frigate is the third 'Álvaro de Bazán' (F-100) class frigates, which are part of the 31st Surface Squadron. She was delivered to the Navy in December 2004. She has a length of 147 meters, a beam of 18.6 meters, and a displacement of around 6,000 tons.

Frigates F-100 multipurpose are considered some of the best escorts in the world, highlighting their anti-aircraft and command and control capabilities, as a commanding ship. It has the AEGIS Combat System that, along with the associated SPY 1-D multifunction radar, provides her with a outstanding detection capacity, even in coastal waters, as well as the necessary firepower.

The ship’s crew is made up of over 200 people, including an Embarked Air Unit (UNAEMB) from the 10th Squadron, an Operational Security Team, under the command of Commander Luis Carreras-Presas do Campo.

The 'Cantabria' is a Fleet Replenishment Ship (BAC in Spanish) built by Navantia at its factory in Puerto Real, and she is also part of the 31 Surface Squadron based in Ferrol. She was delivered to the Navy in 2010 and it is the second largest vessel in the Navy due to her 174 meters in length and her displacement of almost 20,000 tons .

Its design allows it to perform multi-mission roles, the main one being the supply of fuel, provisions, spare parts and ammunition to the naval units with which it operates and interacts thanks to its advanced combat and communications systems. She can also be used as a medical support vessel, thanks to having a complete hospital with an operating room, ICU, X-rays, and a dental office. Another option of using it is the fight against marine pollution, or serving as a deployment platform for special operations units.

The crew consists of over 180 people including an Embarked Air Unit of the 5th Squadron with an SH-3D helicopter, a Marine Corps Security Operational Team and a medical team (ROLE -1) including a dentist, under the command of Commander Alberto Torres Alles.