17 June, 2023 by Juan Carlos Díaz Lorenzo

Palma Welcomes Seven NATO Ships After FLOTEX-23

After the completion of the aeronaval exercise FLOTEX-23, which involved 21 surface ships, six landing craft, one submarine, and 80 Marine Infantry vehicles, with a deployment of around five thousand personnel, seven ships arrived this Friday at the port of Palma de Mallorca, where they will remain over the weekend for the rest of their crews.

The exercise took place in the waters of the Balearic Islands and the southeast coast of the peninsula. This edition featured five types of unmanned vehicles (UXV), both surface (USV) and aerial (UAV), all designed and produced in Spain. These systems, in addition to contributing to the development of the national industry, allow the Navy to deploy state-of-the-art means to fulfill its missions.

FLOTEX-23 is a joint-combined exercise, as the Navy invites participation from units of the Army and the Air and Space Force, as well as NATO units from friendly and allied countries. In this edition, NATO participated with the NATO SNMG-2 escort and SNMCMG-2 mine countermeasures groups. Additionally, an Italian ocean patrol vessel and a French frigate participated under the command of EUROMARFOR.

FLOTEX-23 is the annual advanced-level exercise of the Navy, aimed at implementing, assessing, and evaluating the capability of the Naval Force, composed of various units and national and allied General Staffs participating in the exercise.

The commander of the Maritime High Readiness Headquarters (COMCGMAD), Vice Admiral José María Núñez Torrente, has been the highest authority of the aeronaval exercise and flies his flag on the assault ship “Castilla”.