As part of its deployment in the Indian Ocean for the European Union’s Operation “Atalanta,” the Spanish Navy frigate Santa María (F-81) recently arrived in Salalah, Oman. During this stopover on November 12, various logistical and cooperative activities were conducted to strengthen regional maritime security and promote international collaboration.
Since its launch in 2008, Operation Atalanta has aimed to monitor and deter piracy and illicit trafficking in the waters of the Indian Ocean. After assuming command of the EUNAVFOR (European Union Naval Force) in June, Spain has contributed with various surface units, including an embarked helicopter, a special operations team, and a reconnaissance aircraft stationed in Djibouti, among other resources.
Aligned with the objectives of the operation, the activities include joint exercises such as those conducted in October after taking on the role of command ship, with the Santa María frigate and the Shujaa patrol vessel of the Kenyan Navy engaging in cooperative maneuvers and operational procedure exchanges. These actions are aimed at enhancing naval cooperation and strengthening maritime security in the region.
On this occasion, the Santa María participated in several cooperative exercises with the Omani Navy and a South Korean vessel. These included a practical boarding and inspection exercise with the Omani patrol vessel Shinas, and a PASSEX exercise with the Wan Geon of the Republic of Korea Navy, during which the Operation Atalanta Force Commander was transferred. Additionally, the frigate received a visit from the Spanish Ambassador to Oman, Francisco Javier Istúriz Simonet.
The Santa María is expected to continue its patrols and missions in this region until it is rotated out, likely to be relieved by another unit from the Spanish Navy, thus ensuring the continuity of its mission within the framework of EUNAVFOR.
You may also like: Two EF-18 Hornets from the Spanish Air and Space Force responded to the presence of a Russian drone in Romania
