The frigate ‘Victoria’ is halfway through its deployment in the Atalanta operation

·        The ship has sailed more than 10,000 nautical miles in the operation of the European Unión

After two months deployed in the Atalanta operation, the frigate ‘Victoria’ is halfway through its deployment. The Spanish ship, which is currently operating in the Indian Ocean, joined the European Union Naval Force that fights piracy, at the port of Djibouti on November 5. Since then, the 'Victoria' has sailed more than 10,000 nautical miles, has patrolled the coast of the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden and has supervised the fishing activity in the Somalia basin, contributing to the improvement of maritime security in the Indian Ocean and to the protection of vulnerable traffic sailing in the area.

Likewise, the frigate held several meetings with local leaders from the Somali regions of Galmudug, Hurdiyo and Marka, increasing awareness of the situation and the pattern of life on the coast, and thus strengthening cooperation and mutual trust between the EUNAVFOR units and local population.

Since December 3, the frigate ‘Victoria’ has been the flagship of Commander Task Force 465, under the command of commodore Vizinha Mirones (Portuguese Navy), with its multinational staff on board. This fact highlights the interoperability and good relationship between the Spanish and Portuguese armed forces..

Joint trainings

In addition, during this period of time, the frigate 'Victoria' and her helicopter from the Tenth Aircraft Squadron have conducted training with various units of allied and friendly forces, such as the French Armed Forces in Djibouti, the Republic of Korea Navy ship 'Kang Gam Chan' or the United States Personnel Recovery Task Force, part of the United States Combined Joint Task Force - Horn Of Africa.

During the first half of its deployment, the Spanish ship has contributed to the so-called 'Local Maritime Capacity Building' (LMCB), framed within the EU's global strategy to eradicate piracy by promoting the development of maritime security capabilities in the countries of the Horn of Africa, carrying out training activities with the Djibouti Navy.

The frigate 'Victoria', which is participating for the fourth time in Operation Atalanta, is expected to remain deployed in the area until mid-February. The second of the six frigates that make up the 41st Escort Squadron, is the seventh ship in the history of the Navy to take the historic name of 'Victoria' in honour of the ship that, captained by Juan Sebastián de Elcano, completed the first round-the-world trip between 1519 and 1522.