Frigates ‘Méndez Núñez’ (F-104) and ‘Navarra’ (F-85) have completed their operational qualification (CALOP) simultaneously. Thus, an intense and demanding schedule of group exercises has been completed, whose objective was to assess the reaction capabilities to potential challenges and ensure that these units are ready to carry out missions such as the fight against piracy or drone attacks, among others.
Over almost a month, the ships have demonstrated their satisfactory readiness and professionalism, as well as remarkable progress in the training of their personnel, which has allowed the successful completion of the entire schedule established by the Evaluation and Certification Center of Cádiz (EVADIZ).
On the other hand, the Portuguese frigate ‘Alvares Cabral’ joined the operation with a team from its DTA, the Portuguese counterpart of the Combat Evaluation and Certification Center (CEVACO), thanks to the bilateral agreements previously adopted between the Naval Staffs of Portugal and Spain.
The joint participation served to develop larger tactical plans, expand the zone of influence within the area of operations, as well as to combine synergies, share reciprocal combat stress, among other advantages.
These operational qualification trials have been possible thanks to the endeavors of the Aircraft Flotilla, the Marine Corps’ Operational Security Teams (EOS in its Spanish initials), in addition to a Portuguese maritime patrol aircraft and other aircraft from the Spanish Air Force, as well as several UAVs from INTA-Arenosillo, among other devices.