Spanish amphibious ship SPS Galicia has joined the European Union Naval Force Somalia (EU NAVFOR) task force 465 to begin its tour of operations.

The 160m-long SPS Galicia has a displacement capacity of 13,000t and can carry three helicopters, two landing craft and hospital facilities.

The SPS Galicia ship will be used by the task force to fight piracy and provide humanitarian aid in Somalia.

EU NAVFOR is a military operation launched to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid and protect vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, whilst deterring and disrupting piracy.