Frigate ‘Numancia’ (F-83) will participate in Operation ‘Atalanta’ in the Indian Ocean.

This is the third time that the ‘Numancia’ participates in this operation. During these five months the frigate will act as flag ship under command of the Portuguese Commodore Vizinha Mirones (33rd mission rotation), and – as of mid-March – under command of Spanish Navy Rear Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano (34th rotation).

The ‘Numancia’, third unit of the ‘Santa María’-class frigates, is usually homeported in Rota Naval Base as part of the 41st Escort Squadron. The ship takes her name from the ancient city of Numancia, which resisted the sieges of Roman Empire forces in the year 133 BC. The ship was delivered to the Spanish Navy in 1988 and since then she has participated in many international missions among them Operations ‘SOPHIA’ in the Mediterranean Sea, ‘Atalanta’ in the Indian Ocean and ‘Durable Freedom’, underlining the commitment of Spain with global maritime security in all conflict scenarios. For this deployment, the ‘Numancia’ has embarked a crew of 197 women and men.