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ARCHIVED - British Navy frigate HMS Kent docks in Alicante Port on the Costa Blanca
One of the Royal Navy's most modern frigates will remain off the coast of Alicante on the Costa Blanca for a week, under Spanish command.
The frigate HMS Kent is the first British Navy vessel to dock at Alicante Port this year, and will remain in the city before heading off with the Spanish Navy to take part in the maritime surveillance operation, Sea Guardian.
"We have already had a very good week with the Spanish Navy, working as part of the NATO naval forces. We have participated in the Steadfast Defender maneuvers, which are the most important in NATO this year, and we have done some maneuvers near the Spanish coast with the helicopter that we carry on board and fighters of the Spanish Air Force", said Captain of the frigate, Matt Sykes.
The British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, who is on the Costa Blanca this week meeting with local authority leaders, was at the port to welcome the arrival of the Navy vessel ahead of an official reception today, Wednesday, June 2.
"I am delighted the HMS Kent is visiting Spain at the start of the new program as part of the deployment of UK aircraft carriers," he said, adding that the participation of the flagship HMS Kent in the NATO naval group under Spanish command "shows the flexibility and interoperability of our navies and the joint work of our nations as close allies to support European defense and security".
El embajador @HughElliottUK visita hoy el @hms_kent y mañana acudirá a una recepción para las autoridades locales. La fragata🇬🇧y su participación en @com_snmg2 es un ejemplo del compromiso🇬🇧con @nato y del esfuerzo para mejorar la seguridad marítima en el Mediterráneo #wearenato pic.twitter.com/gymqaKduOJ
— UK in Spain (@ukinspain) June 1, 2021
When it sets sail from Alicante with the Spanish frigate Méndez Núñez at the end of the week, HMS Kent will support NATO's Sea Guardian operation in the Mediterranean, explained Captain Sykes, pointing out: "This operation provides maritime security on the southern flank of the Alliance, so we are delighted to represent the British contribution."
The frigate, one of the most modern in the British Navy that specialises in anti-submarine fighting, was launched by Princess Alexandra of Kent on May 27, 1998.
It entered Royal Navy service on June 8, 2001.
The versatile and heavily armed vessel, which entered Royal Navy service in June 2001, is equipped with the Sea Ceptor vertical launch system - the ship's first line of defense against aircraft and incoming missile attacks - and a 4.5 Mk8 cannon.
However, its main function is to locate submarines.
IMAGE: British Embassy in Madrid