Spanish warship, ESPS Victoria, has joined Operation Atalanta, the European Union’s counter-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia. She departed her home port in Spain on September 10.

ESPS Victoria is a Santa María class frigate. Built in Spain, her design is based on the US Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates, which were designed to act as an escort to aircraft carriers and other high value ships, as well as to conduct anti-submarine patrols. Their extensive capabilities also allow them to carry out a wide range of other missions, such as counter-piracy operations.

The Spanish frigate boasts a Seahawk helicopter as well as the specialist boarding team, which was previously embarked in ESPS Galicia, the former flagship of the EU Naval Force.

ESPS Victoria also carries highly trained medical personnel, who have been used to great effect in the past to treat local seafarers requiring medical attention.

ESPS Victoria will patrol the area of operations to deter acts of piracy, escort vulnerable vessels and monitor fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.