The frigate “Méndez Núñez” returns to Spain after almost six months of deployment in the Indo-Pacific

•  The ship has visited 12 countries, travelled more than 38,000 nautical miles and participated in exercises with numerous navies around the world

After sailing more than six months, the frigate “Méndez Núñez” —under the command of Commander Jaime Muñoz-Delgado Pérez— returned today to her base in Ferrol (La Coruña, Galicia). With the satisfaction of mission accomplished, at 1 p.m. she moored at pier 4 of the Ferrol Arsenal, where family and friends eagerly awaited the sailors of the F-104.

Since leaving Galicia at the end of April, the Méndez Núñez has been part of the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales's battle group in the international operation known as Highmast. This deployment has taken the frigate more than 38,000 nautical miles and to a total of 12 countries, as well as operating in some of the most important maritime environments on the planet, from the Mediterranean to the Sea of Japan.

Throughout her journey, the unit has maintained a busy schedule of operational and institutional activities and has participated in exercises with allied navies and navies from countries in the region: Indonesia, Australia, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and India. In the words of Ensign Adriá Gavaldá, electrical officer, ‘despite the effort involved, collaborating with navies from different parts of the world is a great learning experience for everyone, and I am fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in this type of exercise on my first deployment.’ These manoeuvres have strengthened interoperability and cooperation with strategic partners, while consolidating the Spanish Navy's presence in a region of growing geopolitical importance.

Among the most notable milestones of the deployment was the stopover in Japan, at the ports of Yokosuka and Kure. ‘The visit to Japan was very special,’ says Corporal Christian Sánchez. ‘We were welcomed there with great affection, and it was the most exciting stopover of the deployment.’ In Japanese waters, the Méndez Núñez took part in joint exercises with the Japan Self-Defence Forces, as well as various diplomatic and cultural activities, which reaffirmed the historical ties between the two nations.

At the beginning of August, it began her return journey after bidding farewell to the combat group. During this final stage of the voyage, the frigate contributed to the state's external action, with diplomatic activities and support for the defence industry in the countries it visited. In addition, during her passage through the Indian Ocean, it supported the European Union's Operation Atalanta in the Gulf of Aden, carrying out tasks in support of the fight against piracy and the protection of World Food Programme ships. Once in the Mediterranean, it joined NATO's Sea Guardian and Noble Shield operations in the Mediterranean as an associated support vessel.

Now, the deployment is coming to an end, and it is time to take stock of this important operational and human effort, both in terms of the length of the voyage and the diversity of scenarios and missions undertaken. For Commander Muñoz-Delgado, it is an experience they will never forget, one that has also marked a milestone for the Navy: "We are returning home proud to have accomplished our mission, and we are very happy to have demonstrated the capability and reliability of the “Méndez Núñez”. As the ship's commander, I know that the key to success lies in the professionalism and commitment of its crew. We have shown the flag of Spain and the Navy in many distant countries. Without a doubt, it has been an unforgettable experience for all of us.

The frigate's presence in the Indo-Pacific has highlighted Spain's commitment to international maritime security and her active role as a reliable ally in defending common interests and global stability.