Frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ monitors the Russian submarine ‘Krasnodar’

• The Spanish Navy vessel is integrated into Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) and has also monitored the Russian tug boat ‘Evgeniy Churov’

The frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán,’ integrated into NATO’s Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2), has conducted surveillance and monitoring of the Russian submarine ‘Krasnodar,’ a KILO II-class submarine, in the Eastern Mediterranean waters. 

The ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ also monitored the Russian tug boat ‘Evgeniy Churov,’ which accompanied the submarine during its transit to the port of Alexandria (Egypt). The monitoring of the merchant ship ended when both Russian ships separated to embark on different courses.

NATO’s Standing Naval Forces

NATO’s Standing Naval Forces (SNF), which includes two escort groups (SNMG) and two Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group (SNMCMG), provide a permanent maritime presence for NATO.

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

SNMG-2, which operates in the Mediterranean, forms the core of NATO’s Very High Readiness Maritime Force (VJTF-M) under the “Noble Shield” operation. 

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