Frigate “Canarias” to join Operation “Atalanta

Last February 10, 2022, after an intense preparation and readiness phase, the frigate “Canarias” (F-86) sailed from the Rota Naval Base to join EUNAVFOR’s operation “Atalanta”, a force that develops in the Indian Ocean to contribute to the improvement of maritime security and to prevent acts of piracy in the Horn of Africa. In addition, it collaborates in monitoring fishing activities off the coast of Somalia, ensuring the protection of World Food Program deliveries, and the protection of other vulnerable shipping in the area.

Participation in Operation “Atalanta” is part of Spain's firm commitment to the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy, in terms of providing a comprehensive European Union response to the phenomenon of piracy, in turn contributing to international stability and security. The “Canarias” will remain integrated into EUNAVFOR until next June, exercising during the first part of the deployment the functions of command ship, embarking the multinational staff headed by a Portuguese Flag Officer.

Under command of Cdr. Rafael Samaniego Martín de Francisco, frigate “Canarias” has a complement of more than two hundred men and women. She also operates a helicopter and a Marine Corps detachment for defense purposes. The “Canarias” is the last of the six frigates that make up the F-80 series, built by the national company Bazán (now Navantia) based on an American design (the “Oliver Hazard Perry”-class), incorporating indigenous equipment to meet the requirements of the Spanish Navy. The ship was delivered in 1994. Only one ship bore the name “Canarias” before this frigate: a 10,000-ton “Washington”-type cruiser which was the flagship of the Fleet for almost forty years, until she was decommissioned in December 1975.