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OPV 'Relámpago' begins deployment on Africa’s West coast

At sea
February 3, 2025
  • As part of the European Union Coordinated Maritime Presences - Gulf of Guinea, the Spanish vessel will carry out maritime surveillance and environmental awareness activities 

The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ‘Relámpago’ sets sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Naval Base to begin its African mission along the west coast of Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.

Within the framework of the European Union's Coordinated Maritime Presence in the Gulf of Guinea (CMP-GoG), one of its main tasks will be to carry out maritime surveillance and security activities, as well as to collaborate, cooperate and strengthen Spain's presence in this African region for the benefit of the national interests of the different countries in the area.

The crew of the Relámpago will also provide support, guidance and training, both in port and at sea, to enhance the maritime security capabilities of coastal countries.

In addition, as the OPV ‘Meteoro’ did in its previous deployment, between September and December 2024, the ‘Relámpago’ is scheduled to embark and deploy the AIRFOX aerial drones (UAV), which are an additional support for maritime surveillance and security tasks.

Finally, OPV 'Relámpago' will also support the Spanish diplomatic delegations in the region, with the aim to contribute to state action abroad and to strengthen national interests in the area.

During this deployment, the vessel, which is part of the Maritime Action Force, will be integrated into the Maritime Operational Command (MOM), based in Cartagena, and under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS).

EU Coordinated Maritime Presences

The deployment of the OPV 'Relampago' represents a decisive contribution to the strengthening of the European Union's Coordinated Maritime Presences initiative as an effective tool to improve maritime security in the region and to foster cooperation between the EU and West and Central African countries.

It is worth noting that Spain, as a fully committed partner in European security and defence, is one of the main contributors to this EU initiative.

Maritime Operational Command (MOM)

The Maritime Operational Command (MOM) is the body within the operational structure of the Armed Forces, subordinated to the Chief of Defence Staff, responsible at its level for the planning, execution, and monitoring of permanent operations for the surveillance and security of maritime areas of sovereignty, responsibility, and national interest. It operates under the command of the Admiral for Maritime Action (ALMART) and is headquartered in Cartagena.

The OPV ‘Relámpago’

The OPV Relámpago is the third in a series of four offshore patrol vessels of the Canary Islands Naval Command, based at the Las Palmas Arsenal. They are designed to carry out maritime security missions, protect national maritime interests and control areas of sovereignty and national interest. In addition, these Navy units carry out missions at sea in cooperation with national security forces, such as operations against drug trafficking and terrorism. They also undertake missions to control and protect maritime traffic, monitor and control fisheries and combat marine pollution.

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