The Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Meteoro’ starts her deployment in the West African coast of Africa and the Gulf of Guinea

• The OPV ‘Meteoro’ will carry out activities of maritime surveillance, military cooperation, support to the Diplomacy of Defence Plan and reinforcement of the European Union initiative in Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP) in an area of high priority for Spain

The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ‘Meteoro’ has set sail today from her base at the Military Arsenal of Las Palmas to begin its participation in the deployment of the West Africa coast and the Gulf of Guinea.

The stability of West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea is fundamental to Spain’s security. Piracy and armed robbery at sea entail a very important risk to the national fishing and maritime community which operates legitimately in the region where, in addition, multiple illicit trafficking is proliferating, posing a threat to our country.

The instability in this region, which is a source of significant energy resources for Spain, jeopardises the free navigation in maritime lines that are crucial for our country.

Another commitment of the mission is the collaboration, cooperation and enhancement of the Spanish presence, for the benefit of the national interests in the African region.

Among the activities to be developed, support, training and instruction of the capabilities related to maritime security of the coastal countries are included.

It is foreseen the boarding and deployment of the M5D-AIRFOX drones (UAV) in order to support and provide assistance in surveillance and security tasks, taking over the 3^rd Aircraft Squadron (AB-212) of the Navy.

Deployment in the West African coast and the Gulf of Guinea

During the CMP-GoG (Coordinated Maritime Presence – Gulf of Guinea) deployment, the OPV will conduct activities of maritime surveillance and permanent environmental awareness, contributing therefore to increasing maritime security in the region. In addition, activities of military cooperation with coastal countries are planned, with the aim of fostering mutual knowledge and trust and helping to enhance their capabilities in the area of maritime security.

The OPV ‘Meteoro’ will also provide support to the Spanish diplomatic delegations in the region, aiming at contributing to the State’s action abroad and reinforcing the national interests in the region. The vessel, which takes part in the Maritime Action Force, during this deployment will be integrated in the Maritime Operational Command (MOM, in Spanish), based in Cartagena, and under the operational command of the Operations Command (MOPS, in Spanish).

The EU Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP)

The deployment of the OPV ‘Meteoro’ contributes decisively to the strengthening of the EU Coordinated Maritime Presences initiative as an effective vehicle to enhance maritime security in the area as well as to move forward with the cooperation between the EU and the West and Central African States.

The aim of this mechanism in the region is to ensure permanent maritime presence and readiness, to promote international maritime cooperation and to provide a greater European operational capability. It should be pointed out that Spain, as a fully committed partner to the European security and defense, is one of the major contributors to this EU initiative.

About the OPV ‘Meteoro’

The OPV ‘Meteoro’ is the first of the series of four OPV under the Maritime Command of Canarias, based at the Arsenal of Las Palmas. This vessel category is designed to carry out missions of maritime security, protection of the national maritime interests and the command of the areas of national sovereignity and interest, as well as missions in collaboration with the National Security Forces and Corps, such as operations against drug trafficking or terrorism. Other missions to be mentioned are the control and protection of maritime traffic, fishing surveillance and control, and fight against sea pollution.