The Combat Supply Vessel ‘Cantabria’ receives a visit from the NATO Commander of the NATO Standing Maritime Group No. 2

• The vessel is part of SNMG-2 in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Combat Supply Ship (BAC) ‘Cantabria’, during its call at the port of Catania (Italy), received a visit from the NATO Standing Maritime Group Commander No. 2 (COMSNMG-2), Commodore Matthew Coates of the Royal Canadian Navy, embarked on the Canadian frigate ‘Charlottetown’, the operation's command ship.

After a lecture on the capabilities, tasks and organisation of the ‘Cantabria’, the Rear Admiral visited the Spanish ship's facilities. In the hangar, he was able to see the Spanish Navy's H135 ‘Nival’ helicopter embarked for deployment. The visit ended with the signing of the vessel's book of honour.

This visit was an opportunity to show the different technical resources and capabilities that Spain provides to the NATO Naval Group.

Agrupaciones Navales Permanentes de la OTAN

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

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

SNMG-2 forms the core of the ‘NATO Very High Readiness Maritime Force’ (VJTF-M) in the framework of Operation Noble Shield.

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