SDF leaders tour Spanish frigate ‘Reina Sofia’ |16 May 2025
SDF leaders tour Spanish frigate ‘Reina Sofia’
By Anika cathene
The fourth ‘Exercise Aldabra’ – a bilateral maritime security training exercise between the Seychelles Defence Forces and the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Atalanta, is currently underway in Seychelles’ waters.
This annual event, supported by regional partners, aims to enhance maritime awareness and strengthen the cooperation between Seychelles and European Union forces in the fight against piracy, drug trafficking, and other security threats in the Indian Ocean. The exercise, which started on May 12, ends today.
Yesterday morning, Brigadier General, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Jean Atala, Chief of Staff Lieutenant Colonel Michael Hollanda and the Seychelles Defence Force Council visited the Spanish Frigate ESPS ‘Reina Sofia’, which is facilitating the training. During the visit Commanding Officer, Commander Salvador Moreno Regil, gave an overview of the operations of Reina Sofia, which is heavily involved in combating piracy and maintaining maritime security in the region. Reina Sofia has a 228-member crew; among whom are 175 ship crew and 50 for other units to help enhance their capabilities. Attendees were also given a tour of the vessel where they observed key equipment including drones, firearms, and other maritime security systems.
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