The Spanish frigate “Numancia” returned to Rota Naval Base after completing a five-month deployment in the Indian Ocean as part of EU-led Operation Atalanta.
The deployment aimed to counter maritime security threats such as piracy off the coast of Somalia.
“The main mission of the frigate has been to carry out surveillance and maritime security tasks and enhance the awareness of the maritime domain in this area of interest,” the Spanish Ministry of Defense stated.
“The frigate Numancia has sailed with new defense systems specifically designed to deal with new unmanned aerial threats, one of the new challenges in the area,” it added.
Sailing more than 26,000 nautical miles (29,920 miles/48,152 kilometers) in 152 days, the Numancia’s crew operated with other military and intelligence units as well as a medical support team.
Operation Atalanta
Operation Atalanta was launched in 2008 to protect UN World Food Programme aid shipments and prevent illegal activities in the Horn of Africa region.
EU member states supply the mission’s personnel and equipment, covering most costs individually, while additional expenses are funded through a shared budget, set at 6.3 million euros ($6.8 million) this year.
Since 2009, Operation Atlanta has helped deliver over 3.3 million tons of aid and seized nearly 16 tons of narcotics.