Spanish vessels track Russian naval units transiting maritime areas of interest

•   The frigates 'Victoria' and 'Blas de Lezo' along with the OPV 'Tornado' carry out this monitoring during their presence, surveillance and deterrence operations in the Alboran Sea, the Gulf of Cadiz and the Atlantic coast

The frigates 'Victoria' and 'Blas de Lezo' as well as the Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) 'Tornado' have been monitoring Russian vessels passing through maritime areas of interest to Spain in the Alboran Sea, the Gulf of Cadiz and the Atlantic coast in recent weeks. These maritime security tasks are carried out in the framework of the Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations.

The OPV ‘Tornado’ tracked the submarine ‘Novorossiysk’ in its transit from the Eastern Mediterranean to Northern Europe. While carrying out its mission, the Spanish vessel located this Russian naval unit south of the Balearic Islands. From then on, it kept close surveillance until the submarine reached the Portuguese area of responsibility.

Subsequently, the frigate ‘Victoria’ set sail to locate and monitor the frigate ‘Golovko’ during its stay in the Alboran Sea, where it was escorting the Russian-flagged merchant vessel ‘Lady Maria’. During the search, it also sighted the vessel ‘Altay’ in transit from the Eastern Mediterranean. The ‘Altay’ is a Russian tanker used as a supply vessel for Russian units in the vicinity of the Algerian Bay of Oran.

Finally, off the maritime border with Portugal, the frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ located and monitored the Russian submarine ‘Novorossiysk’ in its transit to the north. After fulfilling its task, the frigate transferred the monitoring responsibility to a French vessel.

After completing the monitoring of these Russian units, the frigates ‘Victoria’ and ‘Blas de Lezo’ returned to their homeports in Rota and Ferrol, respectively. Meanwhile, the OPV ‘Tornado’ continues its maritime surveillance duties in the area of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea.

During these Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations, within the framework of which monitoring tasks are carried out, the vessels remain integrated into the Maritime Operational Command (MOM for its Spanish acronym) and under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS for its Spanish acronym).

Maritime Operational Command (MOM)

The Maritime Operational Command (MOM) is the body of the operational structure of the Armed Forces that reports to the Chief of Defence Staff, responsible, at his level, for the planning, execution and control of permanent surveillance and security operations in maritime areas of sovereignty, responsibility and national interest. It is under the command of the Admiral of Naval 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.