The frigate F-83 ‘Numancia’ returns to the naval base in Rota

•  The vessel has contributed to the fight against piracy and illicit trafficking in the Indian Ocean in the context of Operation ‘EUNAVFOR Atalanta’.

The frigate ‘Numancia’ (F-83) has returned to the naval base in Rota, after its deployment in the Indian Ocean as a command ship in Operation ‘EUNAVFOR Atalanta’, since last May.

During this period, the ‘Numancia’ has spent 156 days away from its home port, has sailed over 26,000 nautical miles on 127 voyages and has visited the ports of Taranto (Italy), Valletta (Malta), Djibouti (Djibouti), Port Victoria (Seychelles), Mombasa (Kenya) and Salalah (Oman).

Moreover, the helicopter of the 5th Aircraft Squadron SH60-F and the aerial drone ‘SCAN EAGLE’ from the 11th Navy Squadron, belonging to the Navy's Aircraft Flotilla, and embarked on board during the entire period, have carried out 320 flight hours.

Furthermore, during its deployment in ‘Operation Atalanta’, the frigate has received medical support from a ROLE-1 and a ROLE-2F capable of performing surgery on board, a Marine Corps Operational Security Team (EOS in Spanish), a Special Naval Warfare Special Operations Unit (FGNE in Spanish), a team of intelligence specialists, as well as a detachment of the ‘Mistral’ MAAL (Light Anti-Aircraft Light Missile) battery.

The frigate ‘Numancia’, which belongs to the 41st Escort Squadron of the Navy, is the third of a series of six frigates based in Cadiz. During its integration into Operation ‘Atalanta’, more than 210 men and women have participated on board.

After the end of its deployment, it was relieved by the frigate ‘Santa María’ on 15th October in the port of Djibouti.