Spanish Navy deploys counter-UAV system on Santa María-class frigate for the first time

The Santa María-class frigate
Canarias
with the now-removed Meroka CIWS above the hangar. The frigate has embarked a counter-UAV system for the first time.
(Spanish Ministry of Defence)

The Spanish Navy has deployed a counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system on the Santa María-class frigate Canarias (F 86) for the first time ahead of the frigate’s deployment to European Union Naval Force’s (EU NAVFOR’s) Operation ‘Atalanta’ in the Indian Ocean.

Announcing the frigate’s departure from Rota on 15 February the navy said that “in this deployment, and for the first time, the ship will operate specifically designed defence assets to counter the new unmanned air threats”. The addition of the counter-UAV system is likely a response to the increased threat profile in the region as a result of the attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea by Yemeni rebel group Ansar Allah (commonly known as Houthis).