The Diplomat
The British Navy frigate HMS Kent will spend this week in the Port of Alicante, in the first visit to Spain by a ship of the Queen Elizabeth Carrier Battle Group, although it is temporarily integrated into NATO’s Permanent Naval Grouping 2 which is under Spanish command, according to the UK Embassy in Madrid.
“We have had a very good week with the Spanish Navy, working as part of the NATO naval forces, we have taken part in the Steadfast Defender manoeuvres, which are the most important NATO manoeuvres this year, and we have done some manoeuvres near the Spanish coast with the helicopter we have on board and fighters from the Spanish Air Force,” explained frigate captain Matt Sykes.
For his part, the British ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, welcomed the arrival of the ship, the first by a Royal Navy vessel in Spain this year.
“I am delighted that HMS Kent is visiting Spain at the start of the programme as part of the deployment of the UK’s new aircraft carrier group,” said the ambassador.
“HMS Kent’s participation in the NATO naval grouping under Spanish command highlights the flexibility and interoperability of our navies and our nations working together as close allies in support of European defence and security,” he added.
The frigate, one of the British Navy’s most modern and specialised in anti-submarine warfare, arrived in the port of Alicante on Tuesday and will return to the Queen Elizabeth Carrier Battle Group in mid-June.
“When we sail from Alicante later this week with the Spanish frigate Méndez Núñez, we will be supporting NATO’s Sea Guardian operation in the Mediterranean,” explained Frigate Captain Sykes, who added: “This operation provides maritime security on the Alliance’s southern flank, so we are delighted to be representing the British contribution.
Launched by Princess Alexandra of Kent on 27 May 1998, HMS Kent entered Royal Navy service on 8 June 2001. It carries 220 men and women, divided into four main departments: armament, logistics, weapons engineering and marine engineering. It also includes an organic flight team and a Royal Navy boarding team, among other specialists.
The frigate is part of the Queen Elizabeth Carrier Battle Group, which is scheduled to travel 26,000 nautical miles and visit a fifth of the world’s countries. A few days ago it crossed the Strait of Gibraltar, but did not stop at the Rock, despite the wishes of the Gibraltarian authorities.
