The frigate F-81 ‘Santa Maria’ conducts joint exercises with the Kenyan ship ‘Shujaa’.

•  This initiative strengthens bilateral cooperation between the nations participating in ‘Operation Atalanta’ and the Kenyan Navy.

The frigate ‘Santa María’ has coordinated three exercises with the Kenyan patrol vessel ‘Shujaa’, within the framework of Maritime Security, during its stopover in the port of Mombasa. This initiative aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation among the nations participating in ‘Operation Atalanta’ and the Kenyan Navy.

Firstly, a simulation of asymmetric attacks by a fast boat leaving port was carried out. The force protection procedures of both ships were put into practice. Following this, coordinated formation drills of both ships were carried out. Finally, a simulated boarding of the frigate ‘Santa Maria’ by the Kenyan Visiting and Registration Troop was carried out, as well as an insertion of the Spanish Special Operations Maritime Task Unit (SOMTU) into the Kenyan patrol vessel to check procedures.

Finally, an exchange of personnel took place. Thus, the frigate ‘Santa María’ received on board three military personnel from the ‘Shujaa’, while a Spanish officer embarked on board the Kenyan patrol vessel.

The Spanish frigate is deployed in ‘Operation Atalanta’, which provides surveillance and deterrence against piracy and illicit trafficking in the Indian Ocean, as well as protecting the ships of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

Atalanta Operation.

The Atalanta Operation was the result of a series of UN resolutions, adopted after the increase in acts of piracy in the Indian Ocean from 2005 onwards. With the strong support of Spain, it became the first European Union naval operation to be carried out within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

At the end of 2022, the EU Council approved the extension of the operation's mandate until December 2024, reflecting the achievements reached and the challenges for the future. Throughout this time, the area of operations has been expanded under successive mandates and currently covers the Gulf of Aden and neighbouring countries, including the port and city of Muscat (Oman), the Somali Basin, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba.

Since 29 March 2019, following the United Kingdom's relieving of command, Spain has been leading the operation from its Operational Headquarters (OHQ), located at the Rota naval base (Cádiz). Since 23 November 2023, following his appointment by the EU Council, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano has been the commander of Operation Atalanta.

Currently, Spain is contributing to Operation Atlanta with approximately 350 military personnel, as well as the following assets and units:

• The Operation Headquarters, OHQ, at the Rota naval base.
• One frigate/ warship.
• An embarked helicopter.
• An embarked special operations team.
• One maritime reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft (DAT ‘Orion’) in Djibouti.
• Liaison offices located in Mogadishu (Somalia), Manama (Bahrain), Brussels (Belgium) and Port Victoria (Seychelles).
• Operation Logistics Support Unit deployed in Djibouti (Djibouti).

As a sign of our commitment to security in the region, Spain has been the only European Union country that has participated uninterruptedly in ‘Operation Atalanta’ since its launch 16 years ago.