The frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ to be certified with the U.S. Navy in one of the most demanding naval exercises in the world.

The Spanish frigate is participating in the U.S. Navy's COMPTUEX exercise to certify its capabilities at the highest level and strengthen interoperability with allied navies.

The frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ (F-103) departed Ferrol yesterday bound for the United States to participate in the COMPTUEX (Composite Training Unit Exercise) certification exercise, part of the Carrier Strike Group ‘George H. W. Bush’, a demanding operational certification process of the U.S. Navy. After a technical port call at Rota Naval Base, the ship set sail for the North Atlantic. This participation will last approximately two months, including transits to and from the theater of operations.

This deployment is part of the operational readiness cycle of the frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ and marks the second time this unit has participated in a COMPTUEX exercise. The U.S. Navy periodically conducts these exercises as a preliminary step to its operational deployments, with the objective of certifying the actual capability of a naval Strike Group to operate in medium and high-intensity scenarios. It involves aircraft carriers, escorts, submarines, amphibious ships and carrier-based aircraft, making a highly realistic and demanding training environment.

For the commanding officer of the ‘Blas de Lezo’, Commander Pedro Ramos, participation in this exercise “represents a significant milestone in our operational cycle, which we are approaching with great enthusiasm, and is an excellent opportunity to enhance our training and to draw lessons that can later be incorporated into our national doctrine.”

During the exercise, the frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ will undergo a continuous evaluation process, in which the crew will face complex and realistic situations over an extended period at sea and far away from national territory. “This is one of the most demanding exercises in the U.S. naval sphere, where not only the ship's technology is tested, but also the readiness, decision-making process, and cohesion of the whole crew,” emphasized Cdr. Ramos.

Allied Interoperability and Readiness

The frigate's integration into a Strike Group led by a U.S. aircraft carrier will directly strengthen interoperability between the Armada and the U.S. Navy. According to Commander Ramos, “operating continuously with U.S. units allows us to use common procedures, share planning standards, and verify in practice that we speak the same operational language.”

From a technical standpoint, the F-100 frigate ‘Blas de Lezo,’ belongs to the 31st Surface Squadron and has a combat system based on a design very similar to that of the U.S. ‘Arleigh Burke’-class destroyers. Its AEGIS combat system, along with long-range sensors and tactical data links –fully compatible with those of the U.S. Navy– facilitates its smooth integration into a Carrier Strike Group and contributes with advanced capabilities, especially in the area of air defense.

Furthermore, during this deployment, the frigate will embark a Naval Air Group from the CEVACO-EVADIZ Fleet (GAVA), which will also be evaluated during the exercise, with the aim of certifying its capabilities for the remainder of its operational cycle.

Spanish Participation in COMPTUEX

Spanish participation in this certification exercise is not new. In 2011, the frigate ‘Almirante Juan de Borbón’; in 2012, the frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’; and more recently, in 2019, the frigate ‘Méndez Núñez’ successfully completed their participation in COMPTUEX.

The commanding officer of the ‘Blas de Lezo’ believes that Spanish participation in this certification highlights “the professionalism of the Armada, capable of integrating into some of the most advanced naval exercises in existence.” All of this, he added, “should generate a message of reassurance and confidence that the Armada is prepared –at the highest level– to guarantee the freedom and security of our people.”