Frigate 'Cristóbal Colón' launches Harpoon missile in the North Sea

The frigate Cristóbal Colón successfully launched a Harpoon missile on Monday, May 5, as part of the Formidable Shield 2025 exercise, which is taking place from May 3 to May 23 at the Andoya (Norway) and Hebrides (UK) firing ranges.

This marks a significant operational milestone for the frigate, as it is the first time it has launched this type of missile, as well as the first of several launches it will carry out during the exercise.

Formidable Shield 25 is the most significant advanced, joint-combined exercise in the realm of IAMD (Integrated Air and Missile Defense), scheduled by COMSIXTHFLEET and led by COMSTRIKEFORNATO. Its main objective is to rehearse the Allied Command and Control structure and assess the IAMD capabilities of participating nations.

In addition to Spain, participating units include those from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

This exercise provides valuable advanced training for the crews involved, allowing them to carry out real missile launches in a dense electromagnetic environment similar to that of high-intensity combat scenarios.

Participation in such activities reinforces national efforts and supports NATO’s Deterrence and Defense framework, helping achieve both Alliance-wide and national strategic goals. It also boosts interoperability, training, and readiness of military capabilities, while showcasing a highly trained, combat-ready Armed Forces equipped with interoperable systems alongside those of our Allies.

Frigate Cristóbal Colón (F-105)

In service with the Spanish Navy since 2007, the Cristóbal Colón is the fifth and final ship of the F-100 class frigates. It is equipped with the advanced AEGIS combat system and the SPY-1D multifunction radar for air defense. It belongs to the 31st Surface Squadron, based at the Arsenal of Ferrol.

The F-105 has taken part in numerous missions and operations, such as Operation Unified Protector (Libya), Operation Noble Shield (Canada), deployments with NATO Standing Naval Forces (SNMG 1 and 2), has led NATO exercises such as At Sea Demonstration/Formidable Shield in 2021, and participated in Operation Sea Guardian.