The ship has deployed more than six months in Indian waters

After leaving on April 29, the frigate "Santa María" has returned to Rota Naval Base today, thus concluding a deployment of more than six months in the operation "Atalanta." This was the second time that the frigate was involved in the European Union mission to combat piracy, following its participation in 2011. The deployment, during which the frigate has sailed more than 36,000 nautical miles, has taken place in the waters of the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, patrolling areas of greatest risk and interest in the fight against piracy. During the mission's development, intelligence, piracy deterrence, maritime traffic line monitoring, friendly approaches to local ships, meetings with local leaders and local maritime capacity-building activities with countries in the area of operations to enhance the fight against piracy have been carried out.

During the deployment the frigate "Santa María" has remained 193 days outside its base, making 161 days of navigation and making presence in the ports of Souda (Greece), Djibouti (Djibouti), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Salalah (Oman), Port Victoria (Seychelles), Massate (Oman) and Dubai (EAU). It should be noted that the "Santa María" frigate was the first frigate of the Navy to have had the capacity of the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) of the 11th Aircraft Squad, thus complementing the capabilities of the barking-helicopter (SH-60B), with a long experience in this type of mission. The "Santa María" frigate was relieved by the "Lightning" Maritime Action Ship on October 24, ending its period of integration into the European Union Naval Force in the "Atalanta" operation to combat piracy in the Horn of Africa.

On the frigate "Santa Maria"
The 'Santa María' frigate is the first of six frigates that make up the F-80 series, belonging to the 41st Escuadrilla de Escoltas de la Marina. It was built by the national company Bazan, in its Ferrol Factory, and was delivered to the Navy on October 12, 1986.
The 'Santa María' has been deployed in the area of operations with more than 220 military personnel, including in addition to its strength and medical personnel, the Embarcada Air Unit and the Marine Infantry teams (Special Naval War Unit / Security Operations Team).