By Euro Weekly News Media • Published: 03 Jun 2021 • 10:21
One of the most modern ships in the Royal Navy is in Alicante this week. HMS Kent, which is the first ship from the Carrier Strike Group to visit Spain, is currently integrated in NATO’s Standing Naval Maritime Group 2, which is under Spanish command. The Carrier Strike Group is the largest concentration of maritime and air power to leave the UK in a generation – 9 ships, 32 aircraft and almost 4,000 personnel working together to show the UK’s commitment to open societies and economies, and the benefits of free trade. It will visit over 40 countries in a seven-month deployment, from the Mediterranean to the Indo-Pacific. The frigate arrived in Alicante after participating in different exercises with NATO allies, including Spanish ships, and the crew is now having a welcome break after a hectic month at sea, before rejoining the Carrier Strike Group in mid-June. Commander Matt Sykes said: “We have had a really good week with the Spanish Navy working as part of NATO’s standing Naval Forces. We’ve been operating as part of exercise Steadfast Defender, which is NATO’s largest exercise this year. We’ve done some exercises off the coast of Spain with the ship’s helicopter and with jets from the Spanish Air Force, and now we are here in Alicante, and grateful to the Spanish to allow us to come here with them.” British Ambassador to Spain Hugh Elliott welcomed the ship’s arrival – the first Royal Navy vessel to embark in Spain this year. “I am delighted that HMS Kent is visiting Spain at the start of the deployment of the UK’s new Carrier Strike Group,” said the ambassador. “HMS Kent’s participation in NATO’s naval grouping under Spanish command, shows the flexibility and compatibility of our navies, and our joint work as close allies on European defence and security.” The ship docked in Alicante on Tuesday and a reception is being held today (Wednesday) for the local authorities around the port. Because of COVID restrictions, which require everyone going on board to take a PCR test as the crew has all been vaccinated, the event takes place in the port itself, next to the frigate. “When we sail from Alicante at the end of the week with the Spanish flagship Méndez Núñez, we will be going out into the Mediterranean in support of NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian,” explained Commander Sykes. “This operation provides maritime security on the southern flank of the Alliance, so it’s great for the UK to be contributing to that.” More information on HMS Kent:
A video of the visit to Alicante this week: More information on Carrier Strike Group 2021
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