Area Surveillance Patrol Vessel ‘Tagomago’ completes its presence, surveillance and deterrence operation in maritime spaces under national sovereignty

•  The vessel has performed actions against threats and unlawful acts, as well as naval presence in the vicinity of Alboran Island.

The Area Surveillance Patrol Vessel (PVZ in Spanish) ‘Tagomago’ (P-22) has completed its presence, surveillance and deterrence operation in the maritime spaces under national sovereignty in the Alboran Sea area.

Among the missions assigned to it, the ‘Tagomago’ has contributed to the knowledge of the maritime environment (MES), an enabler for the rest of the operations, especially the Maritime Security Operations (MSO), for the verification and control of maritime traffic, with the aim of ensuring freedom of navigation.

In this way, the patrol vessel has conducted specific actions against threats and unlawful acts, as well as naval presence in the vicinity of the island of Alborán.

This mission was carried out in the framework of Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations, with the ‘Tagomago’ integrated into the Maritime Operational Command (MOM by its Spanish acronym) and under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS by its Spanish acronym).

The 'PVZ' ‘Tagomago’

The PVZ ‘Tagomago’ is the second of the ten patrol vessels of the ‘Anaga’ class that were built in the 1980s. It is one of the eight vessels under the Command of the Maritime Action Force Units in Cadiz. It is designed to carry out maritime security missions, protection of national maritime interests and control of areas of sovereignty and national interest. It also conducts missions related to the control and protection of maritime traffic as well as monitoring and control fishing activities.

Maritime Action Force (FAM)

The Maritime Action Force (FAM in Spanish), integrated into the FLEET, is made up of the set of units whose main task is to be prepared to protect international maritime interests and the control of maritime spaces of national sovereignty and interest. It is responsible, with a comprehensive approach, for ensuring permanent cooperation with the various government bodies with responsibilities in the maritime domain, which constitutes the Navy's contribution to the State's Action at Sea.

Maritime Operational Command (MOM)

The Maritime Operational Command (MOM in Spanish) is the branch of the operational structure of the Armed Forces, subordinate to the Chief of Defence (JEMAD in Spanish), responsible, at its 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 and is based in Cartagena.

Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations

Presence, Surveillance 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 (MOT in Spanish), Maritime (MOM in Spanish), Air (MOA in Spanish), Space (MOESPA in Spanish) and Cyberspace (MOC in Spanish) Operational Commands compose the Permanent Command structure. Every day, about 3,000 Armed Forces personnel are involved in permanent operations, under the operational control of the Operations Command.