The OPV ‘Audaz’ Navigates the Strait of Gibraltar and Alboran Sea on Maritime Surveillance Mission

• As part of the Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence Operations, the vessel reinforces naval presence in the Vélez and Alhucemas islands

The Offsshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) 'Audaz' (P-45) is currently conducting maritime surveillance in national sovereignty waters within the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea. This mission is part of the Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence Operations, with the vessel integrated into the Maritime Operational Command and under the operational control of the Joint Operations Command.

The operation's objectives include the verification and control of maritime traffic to ensure freedom of navigation. The vessel also conducts naval presence and maritime surveillance around the Vélez and Alhucemas islands, located in North Africa, where there are detachments of the Spanish Army under the Land Operational Command, with its headquarters in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Through these activities, the Armed Forces play a critical role in ensuring maritime security in Spanish waters adjacent to these islands.

VPO “Audaz”

The "Audaz" is the first of five Offshore Patrol Vessel built by the Spanish company Navantia, and was delivered to the Spanish Navy on July 27, 2018. It is based at the Cartagena Arsenal, and thanks to its advanced technology and a high degree of automation, it can carry out its missions at sea. The primary mission of the OPVs is Maritime Interdiction Operations, aimed at enforcing prohibitions on the movement of people and goods within a defined geographical area.

Maritime Operational Command

The Maritime Operational Command is the body within the operational structure of the Armed Forces, subordinated to the Chief of Defence responsible at its level for the planning, execution, and monitoring of permanent operations for the surveillance and security of maritime areas of sovereignty, responsibility, and national interest. It operates under the command of the Admiral for Maritime Action and is headquartered 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, Maritime, Air, Cyberspace and Space 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.