The patrol vessel P-26 'Medas' begins a presence, surveillance and deterrence operation

•  During this deployment, the Navy vessel will carry out maritime surveillance missions in the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea.

The Patrol boat 'Medas' (P-26) has set sail with the aim of contributing to the security of maritime areas of national interest, focusing specifically in the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea. This mission is conducted within the framework of the Armed Forces' Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence Operations. The 'Medas' is integrated into the Maritime Operational Command (MOM) and under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS) 

The ship will remain at sea for a week, conducting maritime security operations and supporting the civilian authorities responsible for Government operations at sea.

Patrol boat ‘Medas’

The patrol boat ‘Medas’ is the sixth of the ten patrol vessels of the ‘Anaga’ class built in the 1980s. It is one of the eight vessels under the command of the Maritime Action Force (FAM) units in Cádiz. 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 carries out maritime traffic control and protection missions, as well as fisheries surveillance and control. 

The patrol boat ‘Medas’ is part of the Maritime Action Force Units in Cadiz, and is based at the Puntales Naval Station (Cadiz). 

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 monitoring sovereign space, 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.