Spanish Navy frigate Victoria departed Rota Naval Base on June 18 setting sail for Italy where she will integrate into operation Sophia to help fight human trafficking in the Mediterranean Sea.
The F-80 frigate is scheduled to be part of the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) from mid-June to mid-September.
Victoria is relieving her sister ship Canarias which has already participated twice in this operation.
Together with Belgian Navy frigate BNS Louise Marie, which joined the mission on June 19, the Spanish frigate will be one of five EU ships helping thwart the human trafficking networks operating in the Mediterranean Sea.
Victoria is the second unit of a batch of six F-80 frigates. She was built in Ferrol, Spain based on the American Oliver Hazard Perry-class design and delivered to the Spanish Navy in October 1987.
The F-82 has a complement of 212 people and for this specific mission, the warship has embarked a helicopter and a Marine Corps security team.