Frigate Canarias Takes Over from Frigate Victoria in Operation Atalanta

• Canarias commences its first patrol tonight in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea

The frigate Canarias has taken over duties from the frigate Victoria as the Spanish Navy unit deployed in support of Operation Atalanta within the Indian Ocean operational area. The handover ceremony was presided over by Navy Captain Gonzalo Leira Neira, Head of the J3 Division of the Operations Command, and was attended by the Ambassador of Spain to Ethiopia, Djibouti and Seychelles.

Captain Leira highlighted the high operational effectiveness and versatility demonstrated by the frigate Victoria in the execution of the assigned tasks throughout the last four months of deployment. He also emphasized the demanding certification process completed by Canarias, which will ensure continuity of the Spanish contribution to the operation in a region of significant geostrategic relevance.

In addition to its integration into the European Union Naval Force deployed in the area (EUNAVFOR Atalanta), the frigate Canarias will also fly the EUROMARFOR flag, further underlining Spain’s commitment to multinational cooperation and maritime security operations.

Previously, on the same flight deck, the Transfer of Authority (TOA) had taken place between Commodore João Pedro Monteiro da Silva of the Portuguese Navy and Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Martinuzzi of the Italian Navy, the outgoing and incoming Force Commanders of EUNAVFOR respectively. This ceremony was presided over by Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni, Deputy Commander (DCOM) of the Operation Headquarters in Rota, and was attended by senior civilian and military authorities from the region.

Commodore Da Silva, who was awarded the European Union Medal during the ceremony, exercised command of the naval force while embarked on board the frigate Victoria from November until the present day, supported by a multinational staff.

DCOM Visit to Orión Tactical Air Detachment

On 18 February, Rear Admiral Fantoni visited the Orión Tactical Air Detachment of the Air and Space Force, a key Spanish contribution deployed in Djibouti in support of Operation Atalanta. During the visit he was accompanied by Commodore da Silva.

Rear Admiral Fantoni had the opportunity to tour the facilities and learn about the work carried out by the contingent and its aviators, whom he thanked for their effort and professionalism. He also highlighted the value of cooperation between European Union member states in the area, emphasizing the outstanding work undertaken to promote maritime security and surveillance. In his remarks, he stressed the direct impact on land security of everything that occurs at sea, reinforcing the need for joint efforts to ensure stability in the Horn of Africa region.