The Amphibious Assault Ship ‘Galicia’ begins training activities in Mauritania

• The ship arrives in Nouakchott, where the team of trainers will deliver various courses and medical assistance will also be provided

The Amphibious Assault Ship (BAA in Spanish) ‘Galicia’ has docked at the port of Nouakchott (Mauritania), as part of bilateral cooperation activities that reaffirm Spain’s commitment to stability and institutional strengthening in the West African region.

During an initial preparation phase, a detailed programme of increasing complexity has been developed, enabling the coordination of all activities and their targeting at five groups of officers, non-commissioned officers and troops from the Mauritanian Armed Forces, to whom Spanish military personnel will provide training to enhance the quality of the service they provide to their country in missions that are fundamental to ensuring security and stability in West Africa.

Highlights of the activities carried out during this first phase include the preparation of courses on precision shooting, amphibious operations, the operation and maintenance of vessels, counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) techniques and urban combat, the use of aircraft for maritime surveillance, and hydrographic surveys.

With its arrival in Nouakchott, the ‘Galicia’ begins a demanding programme of training activities, aimed at helping to improve the Mauritanian Armed Forces’ response capacity to the various scenarios they face.

Furthermore, during this port call, the Spanish contingent will provide healthcare to the most disadvantaged sections of the population, particularly in the fields of dentistry and ophthalmology. Similarly, assistance will be provided to improve the infrastructure of reception centres.

The launch of these activities was marked by a visit on board by the Spanish Ambassador to Mauritania, Pablo Barbará Gómez. During his tour of the ship, he was able to see the programme of activities first-hand, and in a speech to the contingent he highlighted the importance of this deployment for bilateral relations with Mauritania, a country of high strategic value for Spain’s interests in terms of security, the economy and development.

Cooperative Security Activities: the BAA ‘Galicia’ in Mauritania

Spain maintains close cooperation with various African countries in the fields of security and defence, focusing on military advice and training as part of a bilateral initiative known as Cooperative Security Activities.

In this context, the Amphibious Assault Ship ‘Galicia’ has sailed to Nouakchott, where it will provide comprehensive training with the aim of enhancing the operational capabilities of the Mauritanian Armed Forces and improving interoperability between the two nations.

For this deployment, the contingent on board comprises the ship’s crew, personnel from the Royal Marines and the Hydrographic Institute, as well as additional medical support.