‘Rayo’ OPV starts its participation in Deterrence and Defence Permanent Operations

• The navy vessel will carry out a surveillance and security patrol in maritime areas under national sovereignty

The offshore patrol vessel (OPV) 'Rayo' (P-42), belonging to the Maritime Action Force, which reports to the Canary Islands Naval Command and is based at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Arsenal, begins its participation in permanent surveillance and deterrence operations. Its mission includes maritime surveillance tasks in the waters of the Canary Islands in order to contribute to guaranteeing the security of maritime areas of national interest within the framework of the Permanent Operations of the Armed Forces, integrated into the Maritime Operational Command (MOC) and under the Operations Command control.

The vessel will call at the port of El Rosario (Fuerteventura) on 11 and 12 FEB, where it will be available for visits on Saturday from 4PM to 6:30PM and on Sunday from 10:00AM to 01:30PM.

Among the missions assigned during its patrol is the contribution to Maritime Environment Awareness (MEA), an enabler of the rest of the operations and Maritime Security Operations (MSO), which constitute the specific actions against threats and illegal acts that endanger security in the maritime environment.

Maritime Operational Command (MOC)

The Maritime Operational Command (MOC) is the body within the operational structure of the Armed Forces, subordinate to the Chief of Defence Staff (JEMAD, in Spanish) responsible, at his level, for planning, conducting and monitoring permanent surveillance and security operations in maritime areas of sovereignty, responsibility and national interest. It is under the command of the Admiral of Maritime Action (ALMART) and is based in Cartagena.

Deterrence and defence Permanent Operations

Permanent Monitoring and Deterrence Operations are an effective tool for maintaining surveillance of sovereign spaces, enabling early detection of threats and facilitating an immediate and viable response to a potential crisis.

The Land, Maritime Aerospace, and the newly created Cyberspace Operational Commands make up the Standing Command structure. On a daily basis, some 3,000 Armed Forces personnel are involved in permanent operations, under the operational control of the Operations Command.

Maritime Action Force (MAF)

The FAM, integrated into the Fleet, is made up of the set of units whose main task is to prepare to protect international maritime interests and the control of maritime spaces of national sovereignty and interest, taking charge, with a comprehensive approach, of ensuring permanent cooperation with the various government bodies with responsibilities in the maritime sphere, which constitutes the Navy's contribution to the State's Action at Sea.

‘Rayo’ OVP

‘Rayo' OVP is the second in the series of four maritime action vessels under the Canary Islands Naval Command, based at the Las Palmas Arsenal, and designed to carry out maritime security missions, protection of national maritime interests and control of areas of sovereignty and national interest, as well as missions in collaboration with State Security Forces and Corps at sea, such as operations against drug trafficking or terrorism. They also carry out maritime traffic control and protection missions; surveillance and control of fishing and the fight against maritime pollution.