The frigate “Santa María” sets sail for the Horn of Africa

The frigate “Santa María” has set sail today from the Naval Base of Rota to join Operation “Atalanta” against piracy in the Horn of Africa. The ship will carry out this mission as part of the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) from mid-May to the end of September, reports the Spanish Navy. The farewell ceremony was presided over by the commander of the 41st Escort Squadron, Captain Ramón Godín Magadan.

Among its main tasks are the protection of vessels from the World Food Programme (WFP) and vulnerable maritime traffic; deterring and preventing acts of piracy in the area; and also contributing to the monitoring of fishing activities off the coast of Somalia.

This will be the first time that a frigate of the Spanish Navy will have the capability of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) from the 11th Aircraft Squadron, which will complement the capabilities of the ship and its embarked helicopter (SH-60B). During the deployment, it is expected to visit ports in the Mediterranean, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean.

Photo: Spanish Navy