Frigate Méndez Núñez strengthens relations between Spain and Malaysia during her stopover in Port Klang

• This visit by the Spanish ship and her crew included institutional events, open days and joint naval exercises with the Royal Malaysian Navy

 Frigate Méndez Núñez F-104 has ended her call in Port Klang (Malaysia), a very significant stopover on her return to Spain after several months of deployment in the Indo-Pacific, as part of Operation Highmast.

Upon arrival in this Asian country, the Spanish ship was welcomed by local authorities and the Spanish ambassador to Malaysia, José Luis Pardo Cuerdo, who was given the traditional Spanish Navy honour salute (`saludo a la voz´). Subsequently, representatives of the embassy and their families were able to tour the ship and see her facilities, as well as spend a day with the crew.

This stopover also provided an opportunity to strengthen ties with the Royal Malaysian Navy. Several students from the Royal Malaysian Naval Academy visited the frigate, where they learned first-hand about her capabilities and life on board. The Méndez Nuñez also received a visit from officials of the Malaysian Ministry of Defence, led by Deputy Minister YB Adly Zahari, who were given a technical and operational presentation of the ship.

As on previous calls, an official reception was held on the flight deck, attended by a large delegation of Royal Malaysian Navy officers and diplomatic representatives from various allied and friendly countries accredited in Kuala Lumpur.

Finally, on 4 September, the stopover culminated at sea with a naval exercise together with the frigate RMN Lekiu, thus demonstrating the interoperability and willingness of cooperation between the two navies.

“Once again, the visit to Malaysia has been an excellent opportunity to strengthen ties of friendship and cooperation with the countries of the region. The Malaysian Navy has been particularly enthusiastic about this collaboration, as well as showing great interest in the capabilities of the Spanish Navy and the maintenance of its units,” said Commander Muñoz-Delgado.

The frigate Méndez Núñez continues her journey to Spain, with arrival in Ferrol scheduled for mid-October. She is now sailing to the port of Mumbai in India, where she is scheduled to dock on 11 September.