The PVZ 'Isla de León' concludes Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence Operation

•  The Patrol vessel has carried out activities to verify and control maritime traffic to ensure the freedom of navigation

The Patrol Vessel (OPV) ‘Isla de León’ (P-83) has conducted a Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence operation between March 17^th and 23^rd in maritime spaces of national sovereignty.

The vessel carried out tasks typical of Maritime Security Operations, consisting of verifying and controlling maritime traffic to ensure the freedom of navigation. Additionally, the OPV maintained a naval presence in the waters of Ceuta and the North African enclaves.

Among the assigned missions, the ‘Isla de León’ contributed to the Maritime Situational Awareness, a key enabler of other operations and Maritime Security Operations, which include concrete actions against threats and unlawful activities that jeopardize security in maritime environments.

This Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence mission by the Armed Forces was carried out with the ‘Isla de León’ integrated into the Maritime Operational Command and under the operational control of the  Joint Operational Command.

The PVZ ‘Isla de León’

The ‘Isla de León’ patrol vessel is part of the Maritime Action Force, integrated into the Maritime Action Force Units Command in Cádiz, with base in the autonomous city of Ceuta. The vessel is named after the Isla de León, which hosts the city of San Fernando, in Cádiz.

Maritime Operational Command (MOM)

The Maritime Operational Command is part of the Armed Forces' operational structure, subordinate to the Chief of the Defence. It is responsible for the planning, execution, and monitoring of presence, surveillance, and deterrence operations in sovereign, responsibility and national interest maritime spaces. It operates 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 vigilance over sovereign spaces, enabling early detection of threats and facilitating immediate and viable responses in the event of a potential crisis. 

The structure of the Permanent Commands is composed of the Land, Maritime, Air, Space, and Cyber Operational Commands. Daily, around 3,000 Armed Forces personnel are involved in these ongoing operations under the operational control of the Joint Operational Command.