The Crew of the OPV ‘Audaz’ Enhances its Training and Preparedness During its Deployment

• While conducting presence, surveillance, and deterrence activities in sovereign maritime spaces, the vessel and the crew improve their operational capabilities with various onboard exercises

During its deployment as part of the Operations of Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence, the Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) 'Audaz' (P-45) has conducted a range of exercises, including day and night small arms firing, internal security drills, damage control and firefighting training, man overboard drills with the rescue swimmer and his boat, and flare launches. In this way, the vessel effectively combines operational duties with diverse training activities to ensure the crew's ongoing preparedness and operational proficiency.

The OPV 'Audaz' is currently at sea conducting maritime surveillance in national interest areas around the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea. These OPVD missions are carried out with the vesel integrated into the Maritime Operations Command (MOM) and under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS). Its main tasks consist of verification and control of maritime traffic to ensure freedom of navigation.

Maritime Operations Command

The Maritime Operations Command is part of the operational structure of the Armed Forces, subordinate to the Chief of the Defence (JEMAD in Spanish), responsible for planning, conducting, and monitoring permanent operations for the surveillance and security of maritime spaces under national sovereignty, responsibility, and interest. It is under the command of the Admiral for Maritime Action and is headquartered in Cartagena.

Operations of Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence

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.