Frigate ‘Reina Sofía’ (F-84) Hosts EU Ambassador to Mogadishu and Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia

• The Spanish Navy vessel marks nearly three months since its departure from Rota to take part in Operation Atalanta, the European Union’s counter-piracy mission

The Spanish Navy frigate Reina Sofía (F-84), currently deployed in the Indian Ocean under Operation Atalanta, hosted on board the European Union Ambassador to Mogadishu, Karin Johansson, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia, Salah Ahmed Jama. The vessel was positioned off the coast of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

The visit was also attended by the Swedish Ambassador to Somalia, senior representatives from the European Union Delegation (EUDEL), the Somali Police Force Coast Guard Department, and officials from the EU’s missions in Somalia: EUTM Somalia and EUCAP Somalia. The Operation Atalanta Commander, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva, was also onboard.

During the day, guests observed training exercises carried out jointly by members of the Mogadishu Coast Guard, the ship’s crew, and the embarked Naval Special Warfare Team aboard the frigate.

Commander of the Reina Sofía, Commander Salvador Moreno Regil, provided a comprehensive briefing on the frigate’s capabilities and the tasks it has undertaken during its deployment. He highlighted the strategic value of Operation Atalanta and its contribution to maritime security in the region.

Operation Atalanta

Operation Atalanta was launched in response to several United Nations Security Council Resolutions following a significant rise in piracy off the Horn of Africa since 2005. With strong backing from Spain, it became the European Union’s first naval operation conducted within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

In late 2022, the EU Council extended the mission’s mandate until 28 February 2027, reflecting both the success achieved and the enduring challenges. Over time, the area of operations has expanded and now includes the Gulf of Aden and neighbouring regions, including the port and city of Muscat (Oman), the Somali Basin, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Suez, and the Gulf of Aqaba.

Spain, under the operational control of its Operations Command, contributes approximately 350 military personnel to Operation Atalanta, along with the following assets:

• The Operation Headquarters (OHQ) at Rota Naval Base.
• A frigate/warship (currently the Reina Sofía (F-84)).
• An embarked helicopter.
• An embarked Special Operations Team.
• A maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft (DAT “Orion”) based in Djibouti.
• Liaison Offices in Mogadishu (Somalia), Manama (Bahrain), Brussels (Belgium), and Port Victoria (Seychelles).
• A Logistic Support Unit deployed in Djibouti.

Spain is the only European Union member state to have maintained an uninterrupted presence in Operation Atalanta since its inception 16 years ago—demonstrating a steadfast commitment to maritime security and regional stability.