The Spanish ship discovered a frigate and a tanker in the western part of the sea
The Spanish high-altitude patrol boat ‘Sentinel’ has intercepted and carried out on Tuesday a follow-up and monitoring of two ships Russians, the frigate ‘Admiral Kasatonov’ and the tanker ‘Akademik Pashin’, which are sailing in the western Mediterranean.
As reported by the Defense General Staff, the ‘Sentinel’, currently integrated into the framework of the Permanent Operations of the Armed Forces, is carrying out surveillance and maritime security tasks in the waters of the south of the peninsula, with the aim of guaranteeing the national interests in waters under Spanish sovereignty. The Navy ship, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Alejandro Álvarez Brasa, stands out in Permanent Surveillance and Deterrence Operationsintegrated into the Maritime Operational Command (MOM).
The MOM, based in Cartagena and under the command of the Maritime Action Admiral (ALMART), is the organization of the operational structure of the Armed Forces, subordinated to the Chief of Defense Staff (JEMAD), responsible for planning, conducting and monitoring of surveillance and security operations of maritime areas of sovereignty, responsibility and national interest.
According to the statement issued by the Defense General Staff, Permanent Surveillance and Dissuasion Operations are an effective tool for maintaining surveillance of areas of sovereignty, which allows early detection of threats and facilitates an immediate and viable response to a potential crisis. The Land Operational Commands (MOT), Maritime (MOM), Aerospace (MOA) and the recently created Cyberspace (MOC) make up the structure of Permanent Commands.
According to the General Staff, there are daily about 3,000 members of the Armed Forces involved in permanent operationsunder operational control of the Operations Command.
With a crew of 40 people, the high-altitude patrol boat ‘Sentinel’ (P-72) falls under the Command of the Units of the Ferrol Maritime Action Force, dependent on the Navy’s Maritime Action Force. The main mission of the ship includes carrying out surveillance and maritime security operations in the spaces of sovereignty and national interest. Its support for other state agencies in the fight against illegal immigration, drug trafficking and other criminal activities is also common. The ship ‘Sentinel’ is prepared to carry out maritime interdiction operations (visit, search and, where appropriate, seizure of ships) and provide aid, rescue and assistance at sea in the event that it is required.