Offshore Patrol Vessel Centinela Joins Joint Shield 02-26 Exercise

•  The vessel collaborated with the Coastal Artillery Defence Unit during its Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operation

The Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Centinela’ is conducting presence, surveillance, and deterrence operations in waters of national interest. It seized the opportunity to collaborate with the Coastal Artillery Defence Unit during the ‘Joint Shield 02-26’ exercise in the Alboran Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar.

Over several days, the patrol vessel tested the detection systems of the Army’s 4th Coastal Artillery Regiment (RACTA 4), concealing its position amongst the shipping traffic in the Strait of Gibraltar. Surveillance priorities included naval vessels and craft suspected of drug trafficking and illegal immigration.

The Centinela also improved knowledge of the maritime environment and coordinated with the Maritime Action Operations and Surveillance Centre (COVAM) to refine the maritime picture.

Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Centinela’

The ‘Centinela’ (P-72) is the second vessel in the series of Offshore Patrol Vessels comprising the Serviola class, under the command of ALMART (Admiral of Maritime Action). It is based at the Ferrol Naval Yard.

These vessels are designed to carry out maritime security missions. These include protecting national maritime interests, controlling spanish sovereign waters, monitoring and protecting maritime traffic, and fighting marine pollution. It also carries out missions in collaboration with the State Security Forces and Corps, such as operations to combat drug trafficking and other illegal activities at sea.

Lieutenant Commander Jesús Ferrero Peiró commands the ‘Centinela’.

Maritime Operational Command and the OPVDs

The Maritime Operational Command (MOM) is a body within the operational structure of the Armed Forces, subordinate to the Chief of the Defence Staff (JEMAD), responsible, at its level, for the planning, conduct and monitoring of operations involving presence, surveillance and deterrence in maritime areas under Spanish sovereignty, responsibility and national interest. It is under the command of the Admiral of Maritime Operations (ALMART), Vice-Admiral Vicente Cuquerella Gamboa, and is headquartered in Cartagena.

As part of the MOM, various Navy vessels carry out, Under the operational control of the Operations Command, they conduct Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations (OPVD). OPVD maintain surveillance over areas of sovereignty and national interest. They provide a better understanding of the maritime environment. They protect the area alongside other state institutions. They detect threats early and enable an immediate, viable response to potential crises.

Alongside the MOM, the Land Operational Command (MOT), Air Operational Command (MOA), Space Operational Command (MOESPA) and Cyber Operational Command (MOC) form the Permanent Commands structure. Each day, about 850 Armed Forces personnel conduct permanent operations under the Operations Command.