Spain is deploying one of its most advanced warships to the eastern Mediterranean after a drone attack on a British military base in Cyprus heightened tensions in the region.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the Spanish frigate Cristobal Colon will join a naval group led by France’s nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, alongside Greek navy vessels.
The move comes after a drone manufactured in Iran struck the British base at Akrotiri on the Mediterranean island.
The warship, which carries around 200 crew members, joined the French carrier group on March 3 in the Baltic Sea and is now heading south towards the Mediterranean.
The fleet is expected to reach waters near Crete by March 10.
The Cristobal Colon is considered the most technologically advanced frigate in Spain’s navy and will help provide air defence protection during the mission.
According to Spain’s Defence Ministry, the deployment is part of the country’s commitment to defending the European Union and its eastern frontier.
The frigate will also be on standby to help secure key shipping routes and assist in evacuating civilians if the conflict in the Middle East worsens.
Spain will briefly be supported by the supply ship Cantabria, which will provide fuel and logistical support while the naval group passes through the Gulf of Cadiz.
Other European countries are also stepping up their presence in the area.
Italy and the Netherlands are expected to send naval assets to Cyprus in the coming days as part of an initiative led by French President Emmanuel Macron to build a coalition capable of protecting strategic maritime routes vital to the global economy.
Earlier on Thursday, Spain’s Defence Minister Margarita Robles said Madrid is considering further support for Cyprus within the framework of European defence.
She said Spain would study any request from EU partners aimed at protecting peace and stability in the region.
Meanwhile, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the Shahed drone that struck the Akrotiri base on March 2 was launched from Lebanon, not directly from Iran.
