Italy and Spain Send Frigates to Cyprus

Italy has dispatched the frigate «Federico Martinengo» to Cyprus, a Bergamini FREMM class multi-purpose frigate equipped for anti-submarine, anti-surface, and anti-aircraft warfare. According to the Italian news agency ANSA, the frigate carries at least 160 naval personnel.

Spain is also sending the frigate «Cristóbal Colón», a F-105 class vessel and the most modern warship in the Spanish fleet. The ship is expected to participate in an escort mission for the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, along with Greek warships.

The «Cristóbal Colón» was delivered to the Spanish fleet in October 2012 and is 146.7 meters long, with a displacement of 6,391 tons. It features the Aegis combat system and the AN/SPY-1D three-dimensional multi-function radar.

These moves come as Cyprus is at the center of geopolitical developments in the Middle East, due to increasing tensions between Iran, Israel, and the USA.