The OPV 'Relampago' carries out maritime surveillance and security duties on islets and rocks in North Africa

• The Navy vessel contributes to guarantee the security of maritime spaces of sovereignty and national interest

The offshore patrol vessel (OPV) 'Relampago' is carrying out maritime surveillance and security missions in the different areas of sovereignty of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea, including naval presence in the islets and rocks of North Africa, as part of the Joint Force Core assigned to permanent operations.

The 'Relámpago' belongs to the Surface Combat Force, under the Canary Islands Naval Command, based in the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Arsenal.  Its main mission includes maritime surveillance tasks in order to contribute to guarantee 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 and under the operational control of the Operations Command.

During its mission, and after concluding its naval presence in the rocks of Velez in La Gomera, Alhucemas and Chafarinas, the OPV 'Relampago' made a stopover in the port of Melilla from 28 to 30 January and subsequently resumed its maritime surveillance work in the Alboran Sea.