As part of a new Operation for Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence, the Spanish Navy patrol vessel BAM Audaz monitored the transit of two Russian Navy surface units as they passed through Spanish sovereign waters. Specifically, these vessels included a Ropucha-class amphibious assault ship and one of the modern Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates, which yesterday made their passage from the Mediterranean Sea into the Atlantic Ocean.
In recent weeks, the Spanish Navy, like other NATO naval forces, has been closely monitoring the activities of Russian Navy units operating in various locations across the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic. These vessels have been conducting transits between their home bases, such as Kaliningrad in the Baltic and the Northern Fleet, plus various locations in the Eastern Mediterranean.
One such instance occurred days ago when, under NATO’s Operation Noble Shield, the frigate Álvaro de Bazán monitored the transit of the Kilo II-class attack submarine Krasnodar (B-265). The submarine had previously been closely tracked by the patrol vessel Atalaya and the Maritime Action Ship (BAM) Tornado upon entering the Mediterranean.
This latest event, disclosed yesterday, March 19, by Spain’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, involved the BAM Audaz monitoring the passage of the Ropucha-class amphibious assault ship Alexandr Shabalin (110) and the Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate Admiral Golovko (456), belonging to the Russian Baltic and Northern Fleets, respectively.
Regarding the presence of the BAM Audaz, the EMAD stated that: “… it is participating in a maritime surveillance operation in the areas of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea. This mission is carried out as part of the Operations for Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence, integrated within the Maritime Operational Command (MOM) and under the operational control of the Commander of the Operations Command (CMOPS).”
Adding that “… it conducts verification and monitoring activities of maritime traffic to ensure freedom of navigation in areas of strategic interest. Additionally, it carries out naval presence operations near Alboran Island.”
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