After the episode a few weeks ago involving a Russian warship returning from its mission in Syria, the Spanish Navy has been forced to follow up on another Russian warship that was sighted prowling the waters off Ibiza and Formentera a few days ago. Just as in the case of the Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov, the lethal submarine was returning from its mission in Syria.
The maritime action vessel Tornado has taken responsibility for a comprehensive tracking of the Russian submarine Novorossiysk during its transit from the Eastern Mediterranean to Northern Europe. It was the Spanish vessel that located the submarine south of the Balearic Islands and kept a close watch until it reached the Portuguese area of responsibility, according to the Defense General Staff. In a strategic relay in front of the maritime border with Portugal, the frigate Blas de Lezo took over the surveillance of the Novorossiysklater transferring this responsibility to a French vessel as it passed through waters near Galicia. These actions are part of the presence, surveillance and deterrence operations (OPVD) that Spain carries out in collaboration with NATO to protect its maritime areas of interest, including the Alboran Sea, the Gulf of Cadiz and the Atlantic coast.
The stealth of the ‘Novorossiysk’.
The Novorossiysk, a 636.3-class conventional attack submarine, is known for its stealth technology, which makes it extremely difficult to detect. Equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles and 533 mm torpedo tubes, it is capable of high-precision long-range attacks. According to Commander Denis Bairachni, its diesel-electric propulsion system is an evolution of the Kilo-class submarines, noted for its silent navigation.
Joint tasks within the NATO framework
The tracking of the Novorossiysk by the Spanish Navy responds to security challenges in international waters. Submarines of this class, dubbed by NATO as “black holes in the sea”, require active surveillance due to their ability to evade conventional detection systems. During its voyage, the Novorossiysk passed through Spanish waters, prompting an immediate response from the Navy. This mission reinforces Spain’s commitments to international maritime security and cooperation within the Atlantic Alliance.
