The Maritime Action Ship (BAM) ‘Relámpago’ sets sail from the Naval Base of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to begin its African deployment along the west coast of Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
Among its main tasks, and within the framework of the Coordinated Maritime Presence Gulf of Guinea (CMP-GoG) of the European Union, maritime surveillance and security activities will be carried out, as well as collaboration, cooperation and reinforcement of the presence of Spain in this African region, for the benefit of the national interests of the different countries that make it up.
In addition, the crew of the ‘Relámpago’ will carry out support, training and instruction tasks, both in port and at sea, to increase the capabilities related to maritime security of the coastal countries.
On the other hand, as the BAM ‘Meteoro’ did in the previous deployment, between September and December 2024, the ‘Relámpago’ is expected to embark and deploy the AIRFOX aerial drones (UAV), which are an additional support in maritime surveillance and security tasks.
Finally, the BAM ‘Relámpago’ will also support Spanish diplomatic delegations in the region, with the aim of contributing to the State’s action abroad and strengthening national interests in the region.
The ship, which is part of the Maritime Action Force, will be integrated into the Maritime Operational Command (MOM) during this deployment, based in Cartagena, and under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS).
EU Coordinated Maritime Presences
The deployment of the BAM ‘Relampago’ contributes decisively to strengthening the European Union’s initiative of Coordinated Maritime Presences as an effective instrument to improve maritime security in the area, and to advance cooperation between the EU and the States of West and Central Africa.
It is worth noting that Spain, as a partner fully committed to European security and defence, is one of the main contributors to this EU initiative.
Maritime Operational Command (MOM)
The Maritime Operational Command (MOM) is the body of the operational structure of the Armed Forces, subordinate to the Chief of the Defence Staff (JEMAD) responsible, at its level, for the planning, conduction and monitoring of permanent surveillance and security operations of the maritime spaces of sovereignty, responsibility and national interest. It is under the command of the Admiral of Maritime Action (ALMART) and has its headquarters in Cartagena.
The BAM ‘Lightning’
The BAM “Relámpago” is the third in a series of four maritime action vessels dependent on the Canary Islands Naval Command, based at the Las Palmas Arsenal, designed to carry out maritime security missions, protection of national maritime interests and control of spaces of sovereignty and national interest. In addition, these Navy units carry out missions in collaboration with State Security Forces and Corps at sea, such as operations against drug trafficking or terrorism. They also carry out missions to control and protect maritime traffic; surveillance and control of fishing and the fight against maritime pollution.