Spanish Navy Conducts Anti-Piracy Drills Near Morocco, Fires Warning Shot

The frigate Santa María (F-81) carried out this exercise after leaving the Rota base a few days ago. In this context, it fired a shot over the bow of the tug La Graña, reports El Debate. During this exercise, the Spanish frigate simulated the stopping of a suspicious vessel in order to prepare for anti-piracy missions in the Indian Ocean.

Built by Navantia de Ferrol, the F-81 frigate is intended for anti-surface and anti-aircraft warfare missions. According to the Spanish Navy, it can be combined with helicopters, sensors and missiles. In the case of anti-submarine warfare, the ship is equipped with active sonars and torpedoes.

Since its commissioning in 1986, it has already participated in missions to combat maritime piracy and the illegal trafficking of human beings in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and the Pacific.