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Morocco and Spain strengthen naval cooperation through joint exercises in the Strait of Gibraltar
The Royal Moroccan Navy and the Spanish Navy have conducted coordinated military exercises in the strategic waters of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea under NATO’s SeaGuardian operation. The joint drills aimed to reinforce maritime security and improve the two nations’ ability to confront regional threats, including terrorism and illicit trafficking.
According to EuropaSur, the exercises featured the Moroccan frigate Tariq Ibn Ziyad and the Spanish frigate Reina Sofia performing a series of tactical maneuvers, alongside simultaneous ship inspection operations designed to test coordination and operational readiness. These activities reflect the growing defense alignment between Morocco and Spain, which have intensified military-to-military communication and information-sharing in recent years.
The Reina Sofia docked earlier this week at the port of Tangier for an official visit attended by Omar Moro, president of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, and senior Moroccan and Spanish naval and diplomatic figures. The stop reaffirmed the importance of bilateral cooperation in the Mediterranean.
The Tariq Ibn Ziyad, one of the most advanced vessels in the Royal Moroccan Navy, features advanced combat systems and high-performance equipment for surveillance, air defense, and anti-submarine operations. It is central to Morocco’s efforts to secure vital maritime corridors linking the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas. Meanwhile, the Reina Sofia, one of Spain’s longest-serving frigates, has a longstanding record in NATO and EU missions, bringing valuable operational expertise to the drills.
These joint exercises underscore the strong partnership between Morocco and Spain, which extends beyond defense into sectors such as trade, energy cooperation, and migration management. The continued expansion of this collaboration reinforces both countries’ strategic positions as key maritime actors in the Western Mediterranean.
