Spanish Navy Monitors Russian Submarine in Spanish Waters

The Spanish Navy has been closely monitoring the presence of a Russian submarine and its support vessel for several days in Spanish territorial waters. The patrol boat "Centinela," based at the Military Arsenal of Ferrol, set sail on December 11 to carry out this monitoring after the submarine was detected in the country's exclusive economic zone. For two days, amidst challenging weather conditions, the Spanish patrol boat continued surveillance, following the transfer of escort duty from the French frigate FS Auvergne to the "Centinela" to track the submarine towards the Finisterre traffic separation scheme.

During the early hours of December 14, at the maritime border with Portugal, the Spanish patrol boat handed over monitoring of the submarine to the Portuguese military forces, concluding its task and returning to its base in Ferrol. Subsequently, the frigate "Santa María" took charge of monitoring the Russian submarine as it transited through Spanish waters in the Mediterranean.

These operations are part of the ongoing Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence tasks carried out by the Navy under the coordination of the Maritime Operational Command (MOC) and the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS). The monitoring of the Russian submarine and its support vessel was directed by the MOC as part of its routine activities to maintain security and protect areas of national sovereignty and interest. The role of the "Centinela" patrol boat in these missions is highlighted, which includes maritime surveillance and security operations, assistance in combating criminal activities, and its capability to conduct maritime interdiction operations and sea assistance when required.