Spain will send the frigate Méndez Núñez with Harpoon, RIM-162 ESSM and SM-2MR Block IIIA missiles to the Mediterranean Sea to monitor the Russian fleet

This week, the Spanish Navy will send the Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate Méndez Núñez Núñez to the Mediterranean Sea. It will be part of NATO's 2nd Permanent Naval Group and will monitor the activity of the Russian Navy ships.

Here's What We Know

The deployment of Méndez Núñez will last for four months. The Spanish Navy frigate will leave the port of Ferrol next Friday, 18 August. On board the ship will be 232 servicemen. It is scheduled to return home on 22 December.

Méndez Núñez is one of several Álvaro de Bazán class frigates. It was commissioned in March 2004. The Spanish Navy ordered the ship in early 1997 and spent approximately $600 million to build it.

The Méndez Núñez carries AN/SPY-1D 3-D and SPS-67(V)4 radars from Lockheed Martin and RTX, respectively, as well as RTX DE1160 LF sonar. There is also space on deck for a Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk helicopter.

The Mk 41 vertical launch system has 48 cells for SM-2MR Block IIIA and RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow missiles. The Méndez Núñez frigate is also armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles and Mk 32 Mod 9 torpedoes.

Source: Infodefensa