The Frigate Álvaro de Bazán Integrates into the French Carrier Strike Group led by the Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle

The integration into this deployment highlights Spain’s commitment to deterrence and defence within the Atlantic Alliance, as well as the interoperability between allied naval units.

The Álvaro de Bazán frigate has joined the French Carrier Strike Group, led by the aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R91), which will carry out this deployment over the coming months.

The Spanish Navy vessel will take part in this deployment until next 18 February, under the operational control of the Operations Command. As its most significant activity, the frigate is scheduled to participate in the high-intensity, multidomain French exercise ‘Orion 26’, which will take place in waters of the Bay of Biscay.

This activity, under the command of Commander Álvaro Zaragoza Ruiz and with a crew of 205 sailors, demonstrates Spain’s commitment to deterrence and defence within the Atlantic Alliance at sea, as well as the high level of training and the interoperability of its systems and procedures with those of other friendly and allied navies.

The group will meet in Mediterranean Waters and then they will sail together towards the Atlantic, bound for the Cantabrian Sea. Alongside the Spanish frigate, the group includes several French frigates, one from Italy and another one from Holland among other naval units. The Álvaro de Bazán will contribute its wide range of operational capabilities to ensuring maritime security, surveillance and deterrence in areas of national and NATO interest. 

Before joining the combat group, and as a starting point for its operational cycle, the frigate Álvaro de Bazán underwent scheduled maintenance at the Navantia shipyards in Ferrol. It also conducted a series of individual and collective training activities at sea. Of all these preliminary activities, it is worth highlighting its participation in the MAR-26 exercise, led by the 41st Escort Squadron, which took place in the waters of the Gulf of Cádiz and the Alboran Sea.

The frigate Álvaro de Bazán (F-101)

The F-101 frigate Álvaro de Bazán is the first of its class and lends its name to the series. Built at Navantia shipyards in Ferrol, it was launched in October 2000 and delivered to the Spanish Navy in September 2002. Specifically designed for air defence, the ship is equipped with the Aegis Combat System, making it one of the most capable vessels in Europe. 

The frigate is based at the Ferrol Naval Base and belongs to the 31st Surface Squadron, which is commanded by Captain Jesús González-Cela Franco.