Spanish Navy carries out MAR-41 fleet readiness drill

The Spanish Navy’s has recently conducted MAR-41, a fleet readiness exercise which took place in the Gulf of Cadiz and the Strait of Gibraltar.

Participating units included F-80 frigates Victoria, Numancia and Canarias together with the landing helicopter dock (LHD) Juan Carlos I and the auxiliary ship AOR Cantabria.

The exercise was also joined by Marine Corps special operations squads and various aircraft including SH-3D, AB-212, H-500, SH-60B and AV-8B Harrier jets.

According to the Spanish Navy, training exercises like these are intended to keep front-line units in readiness for future operations. In this sense, MAR-41 has been an excellent opportunity to train escorts from the 41st Squadron in operations based on simulated but at the same time realistic scenarios.