The OPV Audaz and the patrol vessel Centinela reinforce presence, surveillance and deterrence in waters of national interest

 Over the past week, both vessels have conducted operations to ensure freedom of navigation while monitoring Russian naval units in transit

The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Audaz, deployed in the Alboran Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar since last December, has monitored the Russian Destroyer Severomorsk during its transit towards the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

After completing this surveillance task, the OPV Audaz resumed its monitoring duties in the Alboran Sea, thereby reinforcing the naval presence around the Chafarinas Islands off the coast of North Africa. The islands host permanent army detachments under the authority of the Land Operational Command, contributing to the support and security of these territories.

Subsequently, the vessel monitored and surveilled another Russian-flagged convoy consisting of the Corvette Boikiy and the merchant vessel General Skobelev as they transited towards the Atlantic Ocean after crossing the Strait of Gibraltar. 

A few days later, these Russian-flagged vessels were sighted entering the Galician coastline. From that moment on, they were monitored by the Offshore Patrol Vessel Centinela, which maintained surveillance of the convoy until it entered French waters.

Throughout these surveillance missions, Spanish Navy vessels continuously reported the status and development of the operations to the Maritime Surveillance Operations Centre (COVAM by its Spanish acronym), located in Cartagena.

These missions are conducted within the framework of the Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations. They are integrated into the Maritime Operational Command (MOM by its Spanish acronym) and under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS by its Spanish acronym), with the aim of contributing to maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation.

Maritime Operational Command and Presence Operations Surveillance and deterrence

The Maritime Operational Command (MOM) is the operational arm of the Armed Forces. Reporting to the Chief of the Defence Staff (CHOD), it is responsible for planning, conducting and monitoring operations involving presence, surveillance and deterrence in maritime areas of national interest. It is based in Cartagena and under the command of the Admiral of Maritime Action, Vice Admiral Vicente Cuquerella Gamboa.

Integrated within the MOM, various Navy vessels conduct Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations under the operational control of the Operations Command. These operations are an effective tool for maintaining surveillance of sovereign and strategic areas, increasing maritime domain awareness, contributing to their comprehensive protection in coordination with other State institutions, and enabling the early detection of threats and facilitating an immediate and viable response to any potential crisis.

Together with the MOM, the Land Operational Command , Air Operational Command , Space Operational Command and Cyberspace Operational Command  make up the Permanent Command structure. On a daily basis, around 850 members of the Armed Force are involved in permanent operations, which are carried out under the operational control of the Operations Command.