The minehunter M-35 ‘Duero’ completes its integration into Nato's Standing Naval Group no. 2

• For the next three months, the ‘Duero’ will sail with the other ships of the grouping in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Minehunter ‘Duero’ will spend the next three months as part of NATO's Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG-2), under the authority of Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), based in Northwood, United Kingdom.

SNMCMG-2 will operate in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and conduct countermeasures operations to ensure freedom of navigation in the area. It will also participate in multinational exercises to increase its operability, readiness and availability, as well as interoperability with allied nations.

The main mission of SNMCMG-2 is to provide NATO with the capability to operate in the maritime environment and to keep permanent naval presence in designated areas. Standing Naval Forces (SNF) contribute to NATO's deterrence and defence, as well as to strengthening cooperation and friendship with third countries through port visits and Military Cooperation activities.

M- 35 ‘Duero’ Minehunter

The Minehunter ‘Duero’ is the fifth unit of the ‘Segura’ class. It is manned by 45 people, including personnel from the The Counter Mine Action Diver Unit (UBMCM), and a nurse officer. In recent years, it has participated in national and international operations and exercises in the field of mine warfare and this will be its ninth integration into the SNMCMG-2. 

Throughout  the years, the ‘Duero’ has gained extensive experience in national and international missions and, with this new mission, enhances Spain's dedication to deterrence and collective defense while also aiding the cohesion and interoperability of NATO forces.

NATO Standing Maritime Groups: SNMCMG-2

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.