Offshore patrol boat 'Tornado' begins presence, surveillance and deterrence operation

• For more than two months, the 'Tornado' will reinforce the Navy's commitment to maritime security in the Strait of Gibraltar and the 'Alboran' Sea

From Las Palmas shipyard, the Maritime Action Vessel (BAM) 'Tornado' has set sail to carry out maritime surveillance in the maritime areas of national sovereignty in the area of the Strait of Gibraltar and the 'Alboran' Sea. This mission is carried out within the framework of the Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations of the Armed Forces, with the ship integrated in the Maritime Operational Command (MOM) and under the operational control of the Joint Operations Command (MOPS).

During this operation, the 'Tornado' will carry out Maritime Security Operations (MSO, for its acronym in Spanish), which consist of verification and control activities of maritime navigation with the aim of ensuring freedom of navigation. In addition, it will carry out naval presence actions in the proximities of the 'Alboran' Island and Spanish sovereign waters in the North of Africa area.

For this operation, the BAM 'Tornado' has embarked a Marine Corps Operational Security Team (EOS) to increase its capabilities in force protection and maritime interdiction.

'Tornado' is scheduled to call at the port of Ceuta from January 10 to 12, as well as at the port of Almeria from February 14 to 16. During her stay in port, in addition to the naval presence, there will be open days for the citizens who want to visit the vessel.

The BAM ‘Tornado’ will return to its base at the Las Palmas naval base once the maritime security operation is completed at the end of February 2025.

BAM “Tornado”

The BAM ‘Tornado’ is one of the offshore patrol vessels of the Canary Islands Naval Command, based at the Las Palmas Naval Base, 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 National Security Forces at sea, such as operations against drug trafficking or terrorism. They also carry out missions of control and protection of maritime traffic, surveillance and control of fishing and the fight against maritime pollution.

Maritime Operational Command (MOM)

The Maritime Operational Command (MOM) is the body of the operational structure of the Armed Forces, 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 and is based in Cartagena.

Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations

Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations are an effective tool for conducting 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. On a daily basis, there are some 3,000 Armed Forces personnel involved in these kinds of operations under the operational control of the Joint Operations Command.