The Frigate ‘Méndez Núñez’ has arrived at the islands of Tidore and Ternate

•  The Spanish vessel anchored in waters near the Moluccas Islands, just as Juan Sebastián de Elcano did in 1521

The Spanish Navy frigate Méndez Núñez anchored for a day between the islands of Ternate and Tidore, located in the Moluccas archipelago. In this location of waters with great historical significance for the Spanish Navy ,  the crew welcomed the Ambassador of Spain to Indonesia, Francisco de Asís Aguilera Aranda. He was accompanied by the Vice Governor of North Maluku Province and a large delegation of local authorities. After touring the vessel, learning about its operational capabilities, and significant aspects of life on board, the guests signed the ship’s Book of Honour.

Following the on-board visit, a delegation from the frigate accompanied the Commanding Officer of the ‘Méndez Núñez’, Commander Jaime Muñoz-Delgado Pérez, ashore, to visit  the island of Ternate, where they were received at the Sultan's Palace and visited the museum, which displays remnants of former Portuguese, Dutch, and Spanish military presence.  At the conclusion of this visit, the delegation proceeded to Kastela Fort to pay tribute to Spanish and Indonesian sailors who gave their lives in defence of their Homeland.

Subsequently, the Spanish delegation travelled to the island of Tidore to visit the Spanish fort of Santiago de los Caballeros and pay homage to the renowned mariner Juan Sebastián de Elcano at the monument erected in his honour and in memory of the crews of the ‘Victoria’ and ‘Trinidad’.  All of them reached these shores on 8 November 1521 during the first circumnavigation of the Earth :  a remarkable maritime achievement in the history of global navigation.

This visit by the Spanish frigate to the Moluccas has served to highlight the significance of Elcano’s naval feat and the enduring Spanish presence in the islands over the centuries.

 These types of diplomatic activities reinforce Spain’s commitment to international maritime security, project its presence in strategic regions, and consolidate the role of our Armed Forces as agents of stability and international cooperation. Moreover, they help to highlight the shared history with other nations, strengthen institutional ties, and proudly represent the national flag in distant settings that hold deep historical and cultural significance for Spain.

The frigate Méndez Núñez in the British Carrier Strike Group

Following this visit, the frigate ‘Méndez Núñez’ continues her deployment as part of the strike group led by the British aircraft carrier Prince of Wales; sailing now ahead of the rest of the task group, setting course for Japan, where she will carry out planned exercises with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force.

During this integration, which began at the end of April, the Méndez Núñez frigate has operated in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, alongside allied vessels as part of Operation Highmast, before reaching the Indo-Pacific area of operations. She will remain deployed there until 10 August, after which she will begin her return to Spain under national command.