The Spanish Navy participates in crucial NATO manoeuvers: STEADFAST DEFENDER-24

As of February 11^th, Spanish Navy warships from the 31^st and 41^st Escort Squadrons are taking part in the first stage of NATO’s manoeuvers ‘Steadfast Defender-24’ (STDE-24) off the south coast of Great Britain.

After the rendezvous of the participating units off the Ferrol estuary, the F-100 frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ and F-80 frigates ‘Reina Sofía’ and ‘Santa María’, and the AOR ‘Patiño’ commenced a training phase during the transit towards the United Kingdom.

The initial stage consisted in two main STDE-24 exercises:

• MAREX-24 (11 – 15 February): Advanced serial exercises focused on the training of surface warfare capabilities under the direction of the Commander of the 31^st Escort Squadron (COMANDES-31), Captain Jesús Viñas with his embarked Staff on board the ‘Álvaro de Bazán’.
  

• DYNAMIC GUARD-24-1 (16 – 20 February): Advanced serial exercises focused on the training of electronic warfare capabilities under the direction of the Commander of SNMG-1 (Standing NATO Maritime Group 1), the Spanish Rear Admiral Joaquín Ruiz and his Staff on board the F-100 frigate ‘Almirante Juan de Borbón’. Also integrated into this Group are the Spanish AOR ‘Cantabria’, the French FS ‘Normandie’ and the Canadian HMCS ‘Charlottetown’.

STDE-24 is one of the most important NATO exercises held every three years. This year are of special significance since the concept of ‘Reinforcement’ is implemented for the first time, simulating a crisis scenario with a fictitious enemy which must be deterred and, if necessary, confronted if deterrence is not enough.

The main objective of these naval manoeuvers is to guarantee the defense of the European flanks with reinforcement from other member states, especially those coming from America towards Europe.

With the Task Group 1102.02 already in full operational activity, and the ships’ crews focused on improving the training and readiness, the Spanish Navy reaffirms its commitment with the security and defense in the naval domain, thus contributing to NATO’s global mission.

NATO is the largest defense Alliance in the world because its force lies in the unity and cohesion of its members, and therefore ‘We are stronger together’. #STRONGERTOGETHER. The Spanish Navy provides a large number of ships to these manoeuvers, once again underlining the commitment of Spain with the Alliance and showing a permanent solidarity with the rest of member states.