The frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ and the OPV ‘Relámpago’ visited Doha (Qatar) during the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2014)
Both warships made the most of their scheduled port calls in support of the national defense industry in what is considered the most important international naval exhibition in the Middle East. The F-100 frigate ‘Cristóbal Colón’ is participating in NATO’s operation ‘Ocean Shield’ and the offshore patrol boat (OPV) ‘Relámpago’ in the European Union operation ‘Atalanta’, both counter-piracy missions.
During their stay in port, along with more than twenty other warships from different nations, the Spanish Navy ships were visited by official delegations from several Navies (Pakistan, Australia, Brazil or Qatar), as well as by specialized journalists from different media.
The Spanish Ambassador in Doha, Mª Carmen de la Peña visited the ships accompanied by the Spanish State Secretary for Defense Pedro Argüelles. They were welcomed on board by the Logistic Support Chief, Admiral Estanislao Pery, the ‘Ocean Shield’ flag officer, Rear-admiral Eugenio Díaz del Río, and the commanding officers of both ships: Commander Enrique Núñez de Prado and Lieutenant-Commander Isidoro Junguito.
These warships decisively strengthened the institutional presence of Spanish Shipyards (Navantia) during the naval exhibition. Rear-admiral Díaz del Río also participated in the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference with a briefing on maritime security and the evolution of Navies from the Spanish viewpoint.
[mappress] Press Release, April 2, 2014; Image: Spanish Navy