Frigate ‘Victoria’ integrates into Operation ‘Atalanta’

On October 1st 2021, after an intense readiness period, frigate ‘Victoria’ (F-82) set sail from Rota Naval Base to integrate into Operation ‘Atalanta’ under operational control of EUNAVFOR. Its task is to contribute to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean fighting piracy in the Horn of Africa and protecting trawlers fishing in the area and World Food Program ships delivering goods to the regional countries.

Spain’s participation in Operation ‘Atalanta’ is a clear commitment with CSDP (Common Security and Defense Policy) which intends to provide a holistic EU response to piracy, thus contributing to stability and security. This is the 5th time frigate ‘Victoria’ participates in this operation and, on this occasion, she will operate as EUNAVFOR’s flagship embarking Rear admiral Cuerda Lorenzo with his multinational Staff.

Frigate ‘Victoria’ is under command of Cdr. Rafael Mira Calvo and has a crew of 218 people. Additionally, the F-82 has embarked a helicopter, a Marine Corps security squad and a ‘Scan Eagle’ UAS. Frigate ‘Victoria’ is the second unit of the six F-80 escorts and the 7th vessel with that name, in honor of the ship that brought back Juan Sebastián de Elcano after circumnavigating the globe for the first time in 1522. The ship’s motto is the same of the Spanish Navy training ship ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’: Primus circumdedisti me.