The offshore patrol vessel ‘Tornado’ starts her deployment in the West African coast.

The offshore patrol vessel (OPV) ‘Tornado’ has sailed today from her base in Las Palmas (Canary Islands) to carry out, until mid-December, maritime surveillance activities and military cooperation exercises with several countries on the West African coast and the Gulf of Guinea. The ship will also support the Spanish diplomatic endeavors in accordance with the comprehensive policy of Spain to promote stability, development and security in the countries in that region.

During this two-month deployment, the ‘Tornado’ plans to conduct activities of maritime surveillance and awareness of the maritime domain, contributing to enhance maritime security in the region, nowadays threatened mainly by acts of piracy, thefts, illegal trafficking of people, drugs and arms, as well as illegal fishing.

In addition, military cooperation activities are likewise scheduled with these coastal countries to foster mutual knowledge and trust, helping increase their maritime security capabilities. Also intended is the goal of improving the coordination and cooperation procedures within the framework of the regional architecture for maritime security established in the Yaoundé process of 2013.

During her deployment in Africa, OPV ‘Tornado’ will also support different diplomatic delegations as part of the Defense Diplomacy Plan with the aim of promoting the fulfillment of defense policy objectives and strengthening Spain's presence in the region.

The ‘Tornado’ plans to call at the ports of Dakar (Senegal), Douala (Cameroon), Tema (Ghana) and Nouadhibou (Mauritania).