'Almirante Juan de Borbón' frigate tracks Russian vessel in Spanish sovereign waters

The frigate ‘Almirante Juan de Borbón’ (F-102) has tracked and monitored the Russian vessel ‘Almirante Gorshkov’ in its transit off the Galician coast.

This activity of tracking Russian vessels is part of the Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations (OPVD). The ‘Almirante Juan de Borbón’, which is integrated into the Maritime Operational Command (MOM) and under the operational control of the Joint Operations Command (MOPS), began tracking the Russian naval unit after locating it in the area of the 'Miño' river mouth.

The frigate ‘Almirante Juan de Borbón’ relieved a Portuguese Navy vessel and tracked it until it left the maritime areas of interest in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. After fulfilling its task, the Spanish frigate transferred the responsibility for tracking to a French Navy vessel.

The ‘Almirante Juan de Borbón’, based at the Ferrol Arsenal, is part of the 31st Fleet. The frigate's crew is made up of a total of 144 men and women.

Maritime Operational Command (MOM)

The Maritime Operational Command (MOM) is the armed forces operational structure body, subordinate to the Chief of Defence (JEMAD), 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 Operations 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), Maritime (MOM), Air (MOA), Cyberspace (MOC) and Space (MOESPA) Operational Commands make up the Permanent Command structure. There are about 3,000 Armed Forces personnel involve in these operations under the operational control of the Operations Command.