The vessel ‘Furor’ conducts a PASSEX with the Portuguese vessel ‘NRP Centauro’ during its deployment

• These exercises, which are routine among allied units, help to strengthen interoperability, improve tactical coordination and enhance effectiveness in joint operations

OPV (BAM in Spanish) ‘Furor’ has carried out a PASSEX (Passing Exercise) with the Portuguese vessel ‘NRP Centauro’ in the waters off São Tomé and Príncipe, as part of the Coordinated Maritime Presence in the Gulf of Guinea (CMP-GoG) deployment.

This type of exercise, common among allied and partner naval units, aims to strengthen interoperability, improve tactical coordination and increase mutual understanding between crews, contributing to greater effectiveness in joint maritime security operations.

During the day, a full programme of operational activities took place, notably including the execution of a non-cooperative Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO). The crew of the BAM ‘Furor’ boarded the Portuguese vessel, simulating a scenario of a search at sea in response to possible illicit activities. This exercise allows for the training of complex boarding and search procedures, as well as improving coordination between on-board security teams.

A crew exchange (CROSSPOL) was also carried out. Several sailors from both units temporarily embarked on the allied vessel with the aim of building camaraderie and exchanging perspectives on the region. This activity strengthens trust and cohesion between naval forces.

The PASSEX also included various tactical coordination exercises and joint manoeuvres, as well as operational communications drills, to ensure both units can operate in an integrated manner in a demanding maritime environment.

The joint participation of the BAM ‘Furor’ and the ‘NRP Centauro’ highlights the high level of cooperation between the Spanish Navy and the Portuguese Navy, as well as their shared commitment to maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, a region of great strategic importance where threats such as piracy, illicit trafficking and illegal fishing persist.

The OPV ‘Furor’, a Meteoro-class vessel, specialises in naval presence, surveillance and the protection of maritime interests. For its part, the ‘NRP Centauro’ is a fast patrol boat designed for maritime surveillance, control of maritime areas and support for security operations. Measuring 27 metres in length, with a displacement of 94 tonnes and a maximum speed of 26 knots, it offers high manoeuvrability for patrol and naval presence duties in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea.

European Union Coordinated Maritime Presences (PMC in Spanish)

This deployment of the OPV ‘Furor’ forms part of the European Union’s Coordinated Maritime Presence (CMP) initiative off the West African coast and in the Gulf of Guinea, aimed at coordinating the naval presence of Member States in areas of strategic interest, thereby contributing to the protection of maritime routes and the support 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 support maritime security in African waters.