Patrol Vessel 'Tagomago' Tracks Russian Warships During Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operation

 Over the past week, the vessel has reinforced maritime presence and surveillance in the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea, with the aim of ensuring comprehensive security in maritime areas of national interest.

The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Tagomago (P-22) has carried out tracking and specific intelligence-gathering tasks on four Russian Federation Navy units as they transited through maritime spaces considered of national interest to Spain.

This activity was conducted within the framework of the vessel’s Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operation (PSDO) in the Alboran Sea, where it also performed routine maritime security duties, including verification and monitoring of maritime traffic to guarantee freedom of navigation and ensure a sustained naval presence.

The operation was carried out with Tagomago integrated into the Maritime Operational Command (MOM in Spanish) and under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS in Spanish).

OPV Tagomago

The OPV Tagomago is the second of ten Anaga-class patrol vessels built in the 1980s. It is one of eight ships under the command of the Maritime Action Force Units Command based in Cádiz. The vessel is designed to conduct maritime security missions, safeguard national maritime interests, and control areas under Spanish sovereignty or national interest. It also supports maritime traffic monitoring, maritime protection, and fisheries control tasks.

Maritime Operational Command (MOM)

The Maritime Operational Command (MOM) is part of the operational structure of the Spanish Armed Forces and is subordinate to the Chief of the Defence (JEMAD in Spanish). It is responsible for the planning, execution, and monitoring of operations related to presence, surveillance, and deterrence in maritime areas of sovereignty, responsibility, and national interest. It is commanded by the Admiral of Maritime Action and is headquartered in Cartagena.

Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations

Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations (PSDOs) are a key instrument for maintaining awareness and control of sovereign areas, enabling early detection of threats and a prompt, effective response to potential crises. 

The Permanent Commands structure includes the Land, Maritime, Air, Space and Cyber Operational Commands. On a daily basis, approximately 3,000 personnel from the Spanish Armed Forces are engaged in permanent operations under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS).