The frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ will join the NATO’s Operation ‘Noble Shield’

• The navy vessel will participate in this operation of the Alliance of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2) (SNMG-2)

The Spanish frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ (F-105) is sailing to the Greek port of Souda, where it will join the SNMG-2. The F-105 frigate will take part, together with other vessels from allied countries, in the allied maritime group, which constitutes the core of the ‘maritime rapid-reaction force’ of the NATO Response Force.

The SNMG-2 is currently participating in the ‘Noble Shield’ mission, while maintaining the permanent maritime presence in the Mediterranean Sea and conducting various exercises and training activities, which are aimed at improving interoperability between all allied navies.

Commodore Matthew Coates of the Royal Canadian Navy leads the SNMG-2. Canada took over the command of this grouping last July and will last until December 2024, when it will hand over to Portugal. Spain, which also periodically leads these groups, commanded the SNMG-1 —deployed in the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea - from January to July 2024. The major role of these maritime groups is to provide NATO with an immediate operational response capability in the maritime domain.

During its integration, the frigate ‘Cristobal Colon’ will contribute to allied operations. Its main contribution will be to provide high levels of air defence and interception, thanks to the AEGIS combat system and the SPY-1D (V) multifunction radar. The vessel deploys with 230 personnel on board, including soldiers from the Airborne Air Unit (UNAEMB, in Spanish) of the 10th Aircraft Squadron and an Operational Security Team (EOS, in Spanish) from the ‘Tercio de Armada’ (TEAR, in Spanish).