Exercise ‘Mediterranean Strike 25’ Concludes in the Ionian Sea

• Over several days, the frigates Álvaro de Bazán and the Replenishment Ship Patiño, operating within NATO’s Standing Naval Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2), along with the frigate Méndez Núñez, assigned to the UK-led Carrier Strike Group ‘Highmast’, have contributed to ensuring maritime security in the Eastern Mediterranean

Three Spanish Navy vessels took part in the international naval exercise Mediterranean Strike 25 (MS25), held in the waters of the Ionian Sea. The participating units were the frigates Álvaro de Bazán, Méndez Núñez, and the auxiliary oiler replenishment ship Patiño (BAC in Spanish). While the Álvaro de Bazán and Patiño operated as part of NATO’s Standing Naval Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2), the Méndez Núñez took part as an integrated unit of the UK Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group. The exercise also included participation from the Italian Navy’s ITS Cavour Carrier Strike Group.

Led by the United Kingdom, MS25 served as an important opportunity to enhance mutual understanding and interoperability among allied and partner navies involved in the deployment.

The exercise spanned one week and included a demanding Combat Enhancement Training / Force Integration Training (CET/FIT) phase. This featured several advanced warfare drills including Air Defence Exercises (ADEX), Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercises (CASEX), and Surface Warfare Exercises (SURFEX-GUNEX).

Conclusion of Integration into SNMG2

The frigate Álvaro de Bazán and the Patiño have now completed their deployment with SNMG2. During this NATO activation, Álvaro de Bazán provided robust air defence and surveillance capability, thanks to her AEGIS Combat System and SPY-1D(V) multifunction radar. Meanwhile, the Patiño extended the naval presence in the theatre by providing vital at-sea replenishment and logistical support. Notably, the ship conducted 63 bunkering operations during the deployment, reaching a historic milestone of 2,803 RAS-FAS (Replenishment At Sea – Fuel At Sea) manoeuvres over the vessel’s service life.

Méndez Núñez in Highmast Deployment

The frigate Méndez Núñez continues her voyage as part of the UK-led Highmast international deployment. She departed from Ferrol on 24 April to join the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group at sea. In the coming months, the group will proceed through the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Red Sea and Indian Ocean en route to the Indo-Pacific region. The Méndez Núñez is expected to conclude her integration with the Strike Group upon reaching the Pacific in early August, before returning to Spain.