Frigate ‘Reina Sofía’ to deploy in the counter-piracy Operation ‘Atalanta’ in the Indian Ocean.

On Tuesday February 4, the frigate 'Reina Sofía' (F-84), under the command of Cdr. Salvador Moreno, set sail from Rota Naval Base with 226 people on board to relieve her sister ship ‘Santa María’ and join the ‘EU-NAVFOR Somalia’ Naval Force, also known as Operation ‘Atalanta’ until mid-June.

The farewell ceremony was presided by the Fleet’s Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Vicente Rubio Bolívar, who delivered words of encouragement to the 226 men and women who make up the force, as well as their families. The ceremony was also attended by the commanders of other F-80 frigates, the ‘Numancia’ and the ‘Canarias’, among other authorities.

The main purpose of the European Union's Operation ‘Atalanta’ is to protect World Food Program (WFP) ships and other vulnerable vessels from pirate attack in the waters of the western Indian Ocean. In addition, since the renewal of the mandate in January 2021, the participating warships have also contributed to the improvement of maritime security structures in the area and to the monitoring of other illegal activities such as illegal fishing or illicit trafficking.

The frigate has extensive embarked capabilities, such as a Marine Corps’ Security Team (EOS in its Spanish initials) and a MISTRAL missile battery to challenge the transit towards Djibouti, where a Special Naval Warfare Team will also embark. In addition, the ship will operate an SH-60B helicopter, which will be transferred from the ‘Santa María’, and an UAV SCAN EAGLE system, as well as a medical team (ROLE-2), with capability to perform surgical interventions at sea.

The deployment of the ‘Reina Sofía’ reinforces the Armada's commitment to defend national interests and Spanish society through this international operation.