The frigate Victoria conducts diplomatic and military cooperation activities during her port call in Mombasa

The Spanish frigate, flagship of Operation ENAVFOR Atalanta, reinforces Spain and Europe's external action

The frigate Victoria, deployed as part of the European Union Operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta and serving as the Force flagship, has made a port call in Mombasa, Kenya, where she carried out her programme of military cooperation and diplomatic activities in support of Spain’s and the European Union’s external action.

The Spanish warship, under the command of Commander Jorge Fernández de Navarrete Bedoya, welcomed on board diplomatic representatives from 15 European countries, including the Spanish Ambassador to Kenya, Jaime Alejandro Moreno Bau, as well as Kenyan Navy authorities, led by the Chief of the National Naval Fleet.

During the visit, the EU Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, together with the Force Commander of Operation Atalanta, Portuguese Commodore D. João Silva, outlined the missions and tasks of the operation, as well as its evolution and relevance to maritime security in the region. 

In the words of Ambassador Geiger, the attendance of such a broad representation of the European diplomatic corps demonstrates their interest in gaining insight into the maritime security situation in the area.

Operational activity and social commitment

During the port call, the frigate Victoria served as the platform for the international exercise Operation Southern Readiness, which focused on techniques and procedures for boarding, visiting, and searching ships, as well as handling evidence. This training activity was led by the ship's Visit and Search Team and Security Operations Team and involved the San Marco Brigade, the United States Coast Guard, and the Kenyan Navy, as well as representatives from navies in the Indian Ocean and Horn of Africa countries. As Ensign Guillermo Aycart, Visit and Search Team officer, points out, ‘this activity allows us to strengthen ties, standardise procedures and facilitate future coordination in combined anti-piracy operations in the region.

In parallel, the ship’s crew carried out various social support activities in cooperation with local organisations. These included the donation of educational and sports equipment to schools in Mombasa, as well as assistance to missionary communities carrying out their work in different areas of the country. 

Following these intensive days, the frigate Victoria concluded her second port call in this Kenyan port during her current deployment in Operation Atalanta. This visit highlighted the progressive development of the Kenya Navy, as well as the positive impact of the Spanish naval presence on reinforcing international relations and maritime security in this strategic region. The Spanish warship has now resumed operations in the waters of the Indian Ocean to contribute to freedom of navigation and the eradication of piracy in the region.

Operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta

Operation Atalanta is the result of a series of United Nations resolutions adopted following the increase in acts of piracy in the Indian Ocean from 2005 onwards. With the firm support of Spain, it became the first naval operation of the European Union conducted under the Common Security and Defence Policy. At the end of 2024, the EU Council approved the extension of the operation’s mandate until 28 February 2027. Over time and through successive mandates the area of operations has been expanded and currently includes the Gulf of Aden and neighbouring countries, including the port and city of Muscat (Oman), the Somali Basin, the Red Sea, and the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba. 

Spain currently contributes to Operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta with around 350 military personnel and the following main assets: the frigate Victoria, which has a helicopter and a special operations team on board; a DAT Orion maritime reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft, which is currently stationed in Spain due to the complexity of operating during the monsoon season. It also provides the Operation Headquarters (OHQ), located at the Rota Naval Base.