Operation Atalanta strengthens ties with the Seychelles Armed Forces

• The frigate Navarra, flagship of this European Union operation, makes a stopover in Port Victoria to promote cooperation with this African country

La fragata ‘Navarra’ —integrada como buque insignia en la operación EUNAVFOR ‘Atalanta’— ha desarrollado distintas actividades operativas para consolidar la cooperación entre la Unión Europea y las Fuerzas Armadas de Seychelles.

En su escala en Port Victoria, el buque de la Armada ha realizado un adiestramiento con la Guardia Costera de Seychelles, que consistió en una sesión de primeros auxilios a bordo de la fragata española, seguido de una evacuación médica simulada. El objetivo de este tipo de formación conjunta es aumentar las capacidades e interoperabilidad con los distintos actores internacionales, para potenciar así la creación de una arquitectura de Seguridad Marítima robusta en la región.

Visitas Oficiales.

The frigate Navarra—flagship of Operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta—has carried out several operational activities to consolidate cooperation between the European Union and the Seychelles Armed Forces.

During her stopover in Port Victoria, the Navy ship conducted training with the Seychelles Coast Guard, which consisted of a first aid session on board the Spanish frigate, followed by a simulated medical evacuation. The aim of this type of joint training is to increase capabilities and interoperability with the various international actors, thereby promoting the creation of a robust maritime security architecture in the region.

Official visits.

In Seychelles, the Force Commander (FCDR) of Operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta, Rear Admiral Francisco Javier Vázquez Sanz, made several official visits to strengthen ties and promote cooperation between the Operation and the Seychelles Armed Forces, with the aim of working within a common maritime security framework in the southern part of the western Indian Ocean.

Rear Admiral Vázquez Sanz held a meeting with the Chief of Staff of the Seychelles Armed Forces, Major General Michael Rosette. During the meeting, the FCDR highlighted the existing collaboration between the two institutions and expressed his intention to maintain and deepen it.

Subsequently, the FCDR visited the Seychelles Coast Guard Naval Base, where he met with its commander, Commander David Arrisol. During the visit, both shared their perspectives on the situation in the region, especially in the areas of piracy, drug trafficking, and illegal fishing. “We have common interests related to maritime security,” said Rear Admiral Vázquez Sanz. At the same time, he conveyed EUNAVFOR Atalanta's intention to deepen its collaboration with the Seychelles Coast Guard, in training activities, combined exercises, and coordinated maritime security operations, thus improving capabilities and cooperation at sea.

Finally, Rear Admiral Vázquez visited the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC), where he met with Commander Gerald Wong-Pool, director of the centre responsible for coordinating the various actors involved in maritime security in the southern part of the Western Indian Ocean. This multinational centre works in tandem with the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC) in Madagascar, whose director met with the FCDR during the frigate's stopover in the capital Antsiranana.

Overall, the Spanish frigate's stopover in Port Victoria has served to strengthen and deepen ties with the Seychelles Armed Forces, a key ally in safeguarding the interests of Spain and the European Union in the Western Indian Ocean region. In fact, around 60 Spanish-crewed tuna vessels sail the waters of the Indian Ocean, with Port Victoria as their main logistics port. Their safety is essential for the Spanish fishing industry, which is the European leader in this sector.

The Navarra in Atalanta

The Navarra joined Operation Atalanta on 11 June, after relieving the frigate Reina Sofía in Djibouti. As part of the Spanish Navy's 41st Escort Squadron, the Navarra is based in Rota, Cádiz. Last year marked its 30th anniversary in service with the Navy, and this is the sixth time she has been deployed as part of the European anti-piracy operation.

More than 220 crew are on board the frigate. She embarks a Shipborne Air Unit (with an SH-60B helicopter and a SCAN EAGLE unmanned vehicle), a Marine Corps Security Operations Team and members of the operation's General Staff, under the command of Rear Admiral Vázquez.

As a sign of our commitment to security in the region, Spain has been the only European Union country to participate continuously in Operation Atalanta since its beginning.