The Spanish Navy has been refining its amphibious warfare skills alongside Army and Air Force units in the Bay of Cadiz on Exercise Marfibex 26.
As per an Armada press statement, the week-long joint manoeuvres — this year’s iteration of the annual Marfibex drills — concluded on Friday.
This year they involved its amphibious assault ship Galicia, Santa Maria-class frigate Reina Sofia and aircraft carrier Juan Carlos I, as well as uncrewed systems such as the SEAD23 USV developed by Spanish company Seadrone.
The manoeuvres, carried out in the Bay of Cádiz and the Sierra del Retín Training Area, focused on amphibious, air and electronic warfare capabilities.
One of the main elements was a simulated amphibious beach assault at the Sierra del Retín Training Camp, including prior reconnaissance by the Navy’s Cadiz Diving Unit and its Hydrographic Institute, which carried out surveys with uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).
As per an Armada press statement: “During the week, exercises focused on amphibious operations in high-intensity combat scenarios were carried out, integrating all the capabilities of a naval force and operating jointly with the Army…
“This type of exercise helps maintain a high level of operational readiness and strengthens the capacity to respond to crises and emergencies.”
The Marfibex drills will also serve as preparation for the force’s wider FLOTEX exercise, scheduled for May.
- You can read more details on the Armada website