The Spanish Navy auxiliary oiler and replenishment (AOR) ship Patiño (A-14) set sail from Ferrol, Spain towards Halifax, Canada for a two-month deployment with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).
In Halifax the Patiño will integrate into a US Navy and RCN task group to participate in the international manoeuvers TGEX-2016 in the east coast of North America. Throughout the deployment a 35-strong contingent of Canadian servicemen on board the AOR will receive training during the exercises at sea.
This deployment is the Spanish Navy response to an RCN request given its present lack of replenishment at sea (RAS) capability.
The purpose of the deployment with the Canadian Navy is to train RCN personnel in RAS techniques and in the protection of valuable naval units. In turn, the Spanish Navy benefits from this operation in the sense that it supports the national industry, enhances the prestige of the Navy and helps train crew members who interact with those from other allied services.
Another Spanish replenishment ship, the ESPS Cantabria will deploy with RCN from Mid-September to November, according to Defense News.
The AOR Patiño was commissioned in 1995 and has a complement of 150 people. With her cargo capacity the ship can supply 9,000 m3 of fuel and 2,000 tons of food, ammunition and spare parts to other naval units at sea.
The vessel can also provide medical assistance thanks to her hospital facilities and logistic support capabilities in non-combatant scenarios like humanitarian aid and environmental defense operations.