The BAM (Offshore Patrol Vessel) ‘Furor’ strengthens maritime cooperation with Nigeria during its port call in Lagos

• The Spanish Navy vessel is strengthening interoperability with the Nigerian Navy through joint exercises and cooperative security activities in the Gulf of Guinea

The Offshore Patrol Vessel (BAM in Spanish) ‘Furor’ (P-46) has concluded its port call in Lagos (Nigeria), as part of the deployment of the Coordinated Maritime Presences in the Gulf of Guinea (PMC-GdG). During its stay in port, the vessel carried out a programme of defence diplomacy and operational training.

Upon arrival in port, the vessel welcomed aboard the Spanish Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Félix Costales Artieda, and a working meeting was held on board with military authorities from the Nigerian Navy’s Western Naval Command (WNC).

In addition, the crew of the ‘Furor’ made several high-level institutional visits to key organisations in the country, such as the Western Naval Command, the Apapa Port Authority, the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). These meetings have helped to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation in the face of common challenges such as piracy, illicit trafficking and illegal fishing.

Military cooperation operational activities

At the operational level, the crew of the ‘Furor’ and members of the Nigerian Navy carried out joint internal security exercises, focusing on firefighting and flood control on board, first aid and combat medical care. These activities have enabled the sharing of knowledge, the exchange of best practices and the improvement of response capabilities to high-risk situations in the maritime environment.

The ‘Furor’ also took part in an unopposed boarding exercise on the high seas. Nigerian special operations teams were involved in this manoeuvre, carrying out the insertion using fast boats and air support from AugustaWestland AW109 helicopters. This exercise, conducted with tactical realism, enabled the validation of joint interdiction and rapid response procedures.

Furthermore, social and team-building activities were held between the two navies, helping to strengthen the spirit of camaraderie and trust, which are fundamental to effective cooperation in the operational sphere.

Under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS in Spanish), the deployment of the ‘Furor’ forms part of the European Union’s initiative for the Gulf of Guinea. Through this mission, Spain reaffirms its role as a reliable partner in the region, as well as its commitment to stability in an area of high strategic interest for international security.

OPV ‘Furor’ in Coordinated Maritime Presences in the Gulf of Guinea

This deployment of the BAM ‘Furor’ forms part of the European Union’s Coordinated Maritime Presence (CMP) initiative off the West African coast and in the Gulf of Guinea, which aims to coordinate the naval presence of Member States in areas of strategic interest, thereby contributing to the protection of maritime routes and the promotion of national interests abroad.

Since 2012, Spain, as a partner fully committed to European security and defence, has been one of the main contributors to this European initiative to enhance maritime security in African waters. In this context, the BAM ‘Furor’ is undertaking the first annual rotation of this deployment.