Spanish frigate sails with British carrier strike group through the Strait of Gibraltar as NATO navies put rivalries aside

AN impressive fleet led by the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales crossed the Strait of Gibraltar on Tuesday towards the Indo-Pacific sector, including Spanish frigate Mendez Nunez.

The carrier group departed six days ago on an alliance mission “to maintain security and freedom from the Atlantic to the Pacific”, the Royal Navy said.

The Spanish frigate sailing with the British carrier group marks a significant change in attitude for both navies, who clash frequently over the disputed waters around Gibraltar.

Despite these troubled standoffs, both navies now operate as close allies within NATO.

The HMS Prince of Wales crossing the Strait. (Photo: @navylookout)

Still, the relations between the two navies are quite cold as just last month, a Spanish navy vessel chased off a British navy vessel that was shadowing a Russian warship.

While the Russian ship was sailing in accordance with the right of passage in transit through a strait used for international navigation, the same was not true of the HMS Dagger, which was on a military mission in Spanish waters.

Spain’s frigate Mendez Nunez has embarked on a mission to join the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, setting their differences aside and marking a significant shift in European naval cooperation.

The joint fleet crossed the Strait of Gibraltar on Tuesday towards the Indo-Pacific sector.

Equipped with the advanced Aegis combat system, the Mendez Nunez brings formidable air defence capabilities to the task force.

The Spanish Navy’s decision to integrate with a British-led operation reflects a broader European effort to assert strategic autonomy.

HMS Prince of Wales, Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond, RFA Tideforce, RFA Tidespring, Spanish frigate Méndez Núñez, Norwegian ships HNoMS Maud and HNoMS Roald Amundsen

Between now and December, the aircraft carrier strike group will conduct a series of exercises and operations with air, naval and ground forces from a dozen allies in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Japan and Australia.

This is the second deployment of the UK’s aircraft carrier strike group in four years.

Previously, the Royal Navy conducted one led by HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2021, which took place against a backdrop of global lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.