The government of Pedro Sánchez has announced sending the frigate Christopher Columbusthe most advanced in the Navyto escort the French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle and participate in work defense of Cyprus, threatened by Iran’s drones and missiles.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the warship has already joined the aircraft carrier fleet. Charles De Gaullewhich will be joined by Greek and Italian ships to respond to the distress call from Cyprus, a member of the European Union. They will arrive at their destination on March 10.
After being bombed by the United States, Iran has responded by launching drones and missiles at North American and British bases, such as those in Cyprus. Since the island does not have air defenses for this type of attacks, nor does it belong to NATO, The European Union has asked for helpto which it belongs.
Characteristics and armament of the Cristóbal Colón frigate
Many people have been shocked that Spain sent a frigate to confront the Iranian attacks, but has not allowed American planes to take off from its bases, causing the wrath of Donald Trump. The truth is that they are different things.
The government of Pedro Sánchez is against the North American attack on Iran, because it has been carried out outside international law. But, at the same time, As a member of the EU, it has come to help another member in defensive tasks.
The frigate Christopher Columbus It is the first European warship to integrate the advanced AEGIS combat systemwhich only the navies of the United States, Japan, Norway and South Korea possess.
AEGIS mixes sophisticated radars with onboard computers to track and guide missiles, within a radius of 500 kilometers. It is, therefore, the ideal ship to protect the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and the coasts of Cyprus, against missiles and drones coming from Iran.
The frigate Christopher Columbus (F-105), Launched in 2010, it belongs to the Álvaro de Bazán class, and is more advanced than the previous four. It measures 146.72 meters in length, with a beam of 18.6 meters and a draft of 4.75 m. It weighs 6,391 tons, and can travel at 28.5 knots for 4,500 kilometers without refueling. Its crew is 216 people.
This frigate has two quadruple AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers, two double Mk-46 torpedo launchers, a five-inch Mk-45 type cannon with a firing capacity of 20 projectiles per minute and a 23 km range, and a Mk-41 vertical launcher with 48 cells.
In terms of defense, it has four chaff launchers that emit decoys to confuse enemy missiles, Indra Rigel countermeasures and electronic warfare systems, of Spanish design and manufacture, and an AN/SLQ-25A Nixie anti-torpedo acoustic system.
It also carries an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface combat. It is a warship designed to confront other ships, submarines, and aerial missiles.
In Cyprus, the frigate Christopher Columbus It will carry out protection missions for other ships, and for the territory of the EU. It is also assigned the task of evacuating civilians, if necessary.