The frigate “Méndez Núñez” faces the final days of her deployment

•  On her return journey, it encountered the frigate Victoria in the Suez Canal, which is sailing to Djibouti to take over as the flagship of Operation Atalanta

The frigate (F104) Méndez Núñez is sailing through the Mediterranean in support of NATO's Sea Guardian and Noble Shield operations, contributing to maritime surveillance and cooperative security works, before returning to national territory next week, following her participation in the Highmast deployment.

Previously, the unit sailed through the Red Sea and passed through the Suez Canal, where it met up with the frigate Victoria, which will dock today in Djibouti to take over from the Navarra as the flagship of Operation Atalanta on 12 October.

Thus, the Méndez Núñez faces the final days of her naval deployment, which has taken it halfway around the world and allowed it to represent Spain in some of the most important maritime settings on the international stage.

Over the last few months, this unit has participated in the multinational Operation Highmast, as part of the Combat Group of the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, with which it has sailed and operated from the Mediterranean to the Pacific Ocean.

On her return journey, the Méndez Núñez sailed through the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden, where it collaborated with Operation EUNVAFOR Atalanta, led by Spanish Rear Admiral Javier Vázquez Sanz aboard the frigate Navarra, in support of anti-piracy surveillance and the protection of United Nations World Food Programme ships. It also carried out exercises with the Italian destroyer ITS Duilio, reinforcing cooperation with European forces deployed in the region.

In addition, the frigate made a logistical stop at the naval base in Djibouti. There, in addition to resupply and logistical support tasks, the crew had the opportunity to learn about the missions and tasks of the Orion detachment, which is deployed in the country as part of Operation Atalanta. This led to reciprocal visits between the ship and the Spanish detachment, which served not only to consolidate coordination between the naval and air forces deployed in the region, but also to exchange impressions and experiences among military personnel deployed far from our borders in the service of international peace and security.

A historic journey

At the end of April, from her base in the port of El Ferrol, the frigate “Méndez Núñez” set sail to join other ships from partner and allied countries in the Combat Group of the British Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS “Prince of Wales”.

The main objective of this European initiative was to carry out complex operations while sailing together in the Indo-Pacific, as part of the Highmast deployment, to improve naval efficiency and interoperability in the face of any threat at sea. In early August, the Spanish ship completed her integration into the international group and began her return to Spain.

All in all, after almost six months of deployment, the Méndez Núñez will complete a mission that has strengthened relations with partner countries and allies in the Indo-Pacific region, while consolidating the Navy's international presence in a key geostrategic environment and Spain's commitment to international maritime security.