Operation Atalanta is pleased to welcome back Spanish frigate ESPS Santa Maria. She was previously deployed on Op Atalanta in 2011 and will be conducting counter-piracy patrols over the coming five months.
ESPS Santa Maria has an embarked Seahawk helicopter on board, allowing her to carry out a wide range of tasks, including maritime surveillance and reconnaissance. She is also fitted with a Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) which further adds to her reconnaissance capability.
ESPS Santa Maria’s arrival signifies the end of deployment for ESPS Tornado on the Operation. Tornado has enjoyed a busy tour in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
Her crew participated in many training opportunities with regional partners to further enhance the maritime-security of the region and keep seafarers safe off the Somali coast.