The frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ returns to Ferrol following the conclusion of its deployment

• The vessel has operated in the Baltic and the eastern Mediterranean, as part of NATO’s Allied Response Force and the French ‘Charles de Gaulle’ carrier strike group

The frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ (F-105) arrives in Ferrol after 75 days away from its home port. Its deployment —under the operational control of the Operations Command— began on 26 January with participation in the Maritime Component of NATO’s Allied Response Force (ARF) during its annual deployment exercise ‘Steadfast Dart 2026’. In the waters of the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, the vessel demonstrated its high operational readiness in extreme weather conditions.

Subsequently, following a stopover in Copenhagen (Denmark), the frigate joined the French carrier strike group led by the aircraft carrier ‘Charles de Gaulle’. Among its tasks were providing escort and close defence for the French aircraft carrier and strengthening the Alliance’s deterrence, projection and response capabilities on the southern flank.

The Spanish frigate also took part in NATO’s enhanced surveillance exercise ‘Neptune Strike 26-1’ (NEST 26-1), which focused on coordinating multinational and NATO planning teams under the direct command of STRIKFORNATO (NATO Strike Force Command). Before returning to Ferrol, the frigate’s crew made a logistical stop at the port of Larnaca (Cyprus). During the stopover, they welcomed the Spanish Ambassador to Cyprus, Mercedes Alonso Frayle, on board.