THE frigate ‘Christophe Colomb’ (F-105) of Spanish Navy intercepted and carried out monitoring and surveillance tasks with the frigate of the Russian Federation “Admiral Gorshkov”, which was sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean, in transit to the Syrian port of Tartus.
Currently, the “Christopher Columbus” is participating in the operation ‘Noble Shield’as part of Standing NATO Naval Group 2 (SNMG-2), deployed in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean, according to the Ministry of Defense.
These missions are carried out in order to maintain the Alliance’s deterrence posture, ensure freedom of navigation and be ready to, if necessary, guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of allied countries. To this end, the SNMG-2 maintains a continuing training program at sea, while carrying out reinforced surveillance and maritime security activities throughout the Mediterranean Sea.
Defense explains in a press release that during its integration into the “Noble Shield”, the frigate “Cristóbal Colón” contributes to operations by providing its air defense and detection capacity, thanks to its AEGIS combat system and to SPY-1D multifunction radar (V). It also has a Marine Corps operational security team and an embarked air unit, responsible for the operation and maintenance of the SH-60B helicopter.
Standing NATO Naval Groups
NATO’s Standing Naval Groups (SNF), which include two Escort Groups (SNMG) and two Mine Hunting Groups (SNMCMG), are the forces that provide a permanent maritime presence for NATO.
Their key areas of action These are the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Baltic, the northern flank and the southern corridor (from the Strait of Hormuz to the Suez Canal, via the coasts of Somalia).
SNMG-2, which operates in Mediterranean waters, forms the core of the “NATO Very High Readiness Maritime Force” (VJTF-M) under Operation Noble Shield.
“With this deployment, the engagement of Spain and the Navy with the Allianceas well as solidarity with the rest of NATO member countries, thus supporting deterrence and collective defense at sea and from the sea,” explains the Ministry of Defense.
The frigate “Cristóbal Colón” is the fifth of the “Álvaro de Bazán” class (F-100) which is part of the 31st Surface Squadron.
