Spain to deploy advanced frigate to Cyprus following drone attack

The Spanish Ministry of Defense has announced the deployment of the F-105 class frigate Cristóbal Colón to the Eastern Mediterranean to bolster regional stability. The vessel is tasked with providing anti-aircraft defense and protection for Cyprus following a recent Iranian drone attack on the British base at Akrotiri. The frigate, which is expected to arrive near Crete around March 10, will operate alongside the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and units from the Hellenic Navy. In addition to defensive operations, the ship is prepared to assist in the potential evacuation of non-military personnel. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto confirmed that a multinational naval force, involving Spain, France, and other EU partners, is being coordinated to ensure regional security. While the US claims the Spanish deployment aligns with American military goals, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has emphasized a stance of non-involvement in the broader US-Israel conflict with Iran. The Cristóbal Colón is the most modern vessel in the Spanish fleet, commissioned in 2012, and is equipped with the Aegis combat system.