Joint training exercises between Spanish and Italian navy ships

• The frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ and the BAC ‘Cantabria’, in NATO's Maritime Group 2, have carried out maritime exercises with the Italian Navy's ‘Martinengo’, participating in the Italian operation ‘Mediterráneo Sicuro’.

The frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ (F-105) has carried out a collaboration, through joint training exercises, with the Italian Navy ship ‘Federico Martinengo’ (F-596). To begin with, bunkering was carried out at sea with the Combat Supply Vessel (BAC) ‘Cantabria’, which supplied fuel to the two ships simultaneously.

The intervention of the ‘Cantabria’ as a logistics vessel guarantees the continuity of the deployment by providing the grouping with all its supply capacities, in terms of fuel, supplies and spare parts. This support makes it possible to extend the stay at sea of the other ships.

In addition, the ‘Cristóbal Colón’ carried out various air defence, communications and advanced manoeuvres with the Italian frigate.

This bilateral collaboration and training is an excellent opportunity to ensure interoperability and strengthen ties between allied naval forces. At the end of the training, the ships continued their activities in their respective areas of responsibility.

NATO Standing Maritime Groups

The NATO Standing Maritime Groups (SNF), which includes two escort groups (SNMGs) and two minehunting groups (SNMCMGs), are the forces that provide a permanent maritime presence for NATO.

Their key areas of operation are the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Baltic, Northern Flank, Southern Corridor (from the Strait of Hormuz to the Suez Canal), including off the coast of Somalia.

The SNMG-2 forms the core of the NATO Very High Readiness Maritime Force (VJTF-M), within the framework of Operation Noble Shield.

This deployment reinforces Spain's commitment to the Alliance, as well as its solidarity with other NATO member countries, thus supporting deterrence and collective defence at sea and from the sea.

The frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ is the fifth of the ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ class (F-100) that form part of the 31st Fleet.

The BAC ‘Cantabria’ is the first of its class and is also part of the 31st Fleet.