Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Meteoro’ Reinforces Maritime Surveillance in the Canary Archipelago

• Until April 4th , the vessel will conduct verification and maritime traffic control activities in the islands as part of the Operations for Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence.

The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ‘Meteoro’ (P-41) has departed from its base at the Arsenal of Las Palmas to carry out a maritime surveillance and deterrence operation in waters of sovereignty and national interest. Over the next 12 days, the ship will cover more than 1,500 nautical miles in an operation that strengthens maritime security and protects Spain’s interests in the Canary Islands.

This mission is part of the Armed Forces’ Operations for Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence, with the ship integrated into the Acting Joint Force Core (NFC-A). Its deployment is under the tactical command of the Commander of the Maritime Operational Command and the operational control of the Commander of the Joint Operations Command.

‘Among our primary tasks, we are in charge of maritime surveillance and security in the Eastern Exclusive Economic Zone of the archipelago, with special attention to the Tropic Monte region, an underwater area of great geological and strategic importance. This area is located to the southwest of the Canary Islands and is notable for its potential richness in critical minerals such as tellurium and rare earths, essential for technological and scientific development’, says Lieutenant Commander Íñigo Franco Moreu, commanding officer of the ‘Meteoro’.

In addition, the vessel will cooperate with aircraft from the Army and the Air and Space Force to improve interoperability between platforms, as well as with State Security Forces in the execution of their respective missions.

During this operation, the ‘Meteoro’ will make a port call for naval presence at the port of Arrecife, Lanzarote, from March 28th  to 30th .

The Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Meteoro’ (P-41)

The OPV ‘Meteoro’ is the first of the series of four OPV under the Maritime Command of Canarias, based at the Arsenal of Las Palmas. This vessel category is designed to carry out missions of maritime security, protection of the national maritime interests and the command of the areas of national sovereignity and interest, as well as missions in collaboration with the National Security Forces and Corps, such as operations against drug trafficking or terrorism. Other missions to be mentioned are the control and protection of maritime traffic, fishing surveillance and control, and fight against sea pollution.

Maritime Operational Command (MOM)

The Maritime Operational Command (MOM) is the body of the operational structure of the Armed Forces reporting to CHOD, it is responsible for planning, conducting and monitoring the surveillance and security operations of maritime areas of sovereignty, responsibility and national interest. It is under the command of the Admiral of Maritime Action and is based in Cartagena. 

Permanent Surveillance and Deterrence Operations 

This deployment is part of the Permanent Surveillance and Deterrence Operations, serving as an effective tool to maintain surveillance of sovereign spaces, which allows for early detection of threats and facilitates an immediate and viable response to a potential crisis.