Mallorca hosts the second phase of the international naval exercise ESP MINEX-26

On Monday, April 27th, the ESP MINEX-26 exercise began, which, after taking place in different areas along Spain’s eastern coast, brings all its units together this week in the waters south of Mallorca. The Spanish and foreign vessels taking part in the exercise will dock in Palma on May 8th.

From April 27th to May 8th, the advanced multinational mine warfare exercise ESP MINEX-26 is taking place in the waters of Murcia, Alicante and the Balearic Archipelago. The exercise is organised and led annually by the Spanish Navy.

Eleven vessels, an H135 helicopter, members of the Mine Countermeasures Diving Unit (UBMCM), the Mine Warfare Data Centre, as well as several autonomous unmanned vehicles, are taking part, bringing together more than 500 personnel from Spain, the United States, Greece, Italy and Turkey. Also participating is NATO’s Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), a scientific research and experimentation centre that provides innovative scientific and technological solutions to meet the Alliance’s security and defence needs.

The multinational naval force is made up, in addition to the Spanish units, of NATO’s Standing Mine Countermeasures Group 2 in the Mediterranean (SNMCMG-2) and the European Maritime Force (EUROMARFOR).

The Commander of the Spanish Navy’s Mine Countermeasures Force, embarked with his deployable staff aboard the offshore patrol vessel BAM Relámpago, is the authority responsible for preparing and executing the exercise.

The submarine ‘Galerna’ has also collaborated in the mine-laying operations prior to the exercise. Simulated mines have been used, posing no risk to people or the environment, as well as some biodegradable mines. Once the exercise is completed, all of them are recovered and, taking advantage of the necessary diving operations, plastics and other polluting materials that may be found on the seabed are also removed. This activity highlights the Spanish Navy’s ongoing commitment to environmental protection.

The participating units are equipped with sophisticated underwater detection systems, divers specialised in mine neutralisation and several autonomous underwater vehicles, which complement the capabilities of the minehunters.

The vessels are scheduled to call at the Port of Palma from May 8th to 10th. On the evening of May 8th, at sunset and in keeping with Spanish Navy tradition, a solemn flag-lowering ceremony will take place. On Saturday, May 9th, there will be an open day for the public in the morning from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and in the afternoon from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., during which visitors will be able to tour the flagship Relámpago and the minehunters of the group.

The Mine Countermeasures Force celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, taking April 25th, 1946, as the date of its creation, when the Spanish Navy received the first minesweeper specifically designed for this purpose and built in Spain, the Bidasoa.