"The Spanish naval resources are blocking the arrival of weapons and mercenaries to Libya", says Carme Chacón

News - 2011.3.25

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Carme Chacón, who attended the combat flag presentation ceremony to the 'Cantabria' Combat Supply Ship at the Port of Santander, recalled that the mission being undertaken by this naval force (in which a CN-235 maritime surveillance plane is also involved) is to control the coast of Libya, under orders from NATO, to ensure compliance with the arms embargo on the country.

"We are fulfilling the United Nations mandate: we are protecting the civilian population and we are blocking the Gaddafi regime from supplying itself with more resources to continue committing atrocities against the people of Libya", she added.

Furthermore, the Minister for Defence highlighted that Spain has been the coalition country to have most rapidly deployed its resources from among all those taking part in the international operation, as acknowledged on Thursday by the NATO Military Committee.

Carme Chacón also expressed Spain's satisfaction regarding the agreement reached between the 28 members of NATO to assume sole control over all operations in Libya, including the mission to enforce the no-fly zone.

Presentation of the combat flag to the 'Cantabria'

The combat flag presentation ceremony to the 'Cantabria' Combat Supply Ship was hosted by Aurora Díaz Abella, wife of the President of the Regional Government of Cantabria, Miguel Ángel Revilla, and was also attended by: the Chief of the Defence Staff, José Julio Rodríguez; the Chief of the Navy Staff, Manuel Rebollo; the President of the Regional Parliament of Cantabria, Miguel Ángel Palacio; and the Mayor of Santander, Iñigo de la Serna.

Now in possession of its combat flag, the 'Cantabria' Combat Supply Ship forms part of the Spanish Navy and, as highlighted by the Minister for Defence, joins "the most modern resources in the Spanish fleet, such as the F-100 frigates, the Maritime Action Ships, the S-80 submarines and the 'Juan Carlos I' Strategic Projection Ship".

In this regard, Carme Chacón stressed that the 'Cantabria' Combat Supply Ship enhances the effectiveness of the Spanish Navy by enabling other vessels to extend the time spent on a mission without returning to port. "What distinguishes the best fleets in the world is their logistical support vessels because they provide a multiplying effect to any naval force", she said.

Furthermore, she indicated that the logistical support provided by the 'Cantabria' Combat Supply Ship (supply of fuel, food and parts and healthcare support at sea) means that a naval force of five ships with their corresponding aerial units can remain at sea for 50 days in peacetime and up to 10 days during combat. "Only the United States, France and the United Kingdom have ships with a similar capacity", she said.

Close ties between the Spanish Navy and Cantabria

The Combat Supply Ship (A-15) bears the name 'Cantabria' following a request from the President of the Regional Government of Cantabria, Miguel Ángel Revilla, to demonstrate the close ties that have always existed throughout history between the Spanish Navy and this autonomous region.

The vessel, which was built at the shipyards operated by the company Navantia in Puerto Real (Cadiz), was launched on 21 July 2008 and delivered to the Spanish Navy on 29 July 2010 at the Rota Naval Base. The ship's commander is Navy Captain Ramón de Leste Contreras.

During its first months in the Spanish Navy, the 'Cantabria' Combat Supply Ship has been performing operational assessments of its equipment and systems, has been subjected to a trial maiden voyage and has carried out acoustic measurements and magnetic calibrations. At the same time, the crew has also received intensive training to obtain operational status and become a fully functioning part of the fleet.