The Álvaro de Bazán-class air defense frigate of the Spanish Navy, the Méndez Núñez (F104) has arrived in Manila. The visit is part of its imitation of explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe.
Ferdinand Magellan and his expedition were the first Europeans to reach the Philippines, a stop on the first circumnavigation of the globe, through Magellan’s part of that journey would soon end. The expedition of five ships and 250 men had left Spain in September 1519.
As the ships maintained sailing west, supplies decreased, the crew was forced to eat leather and drink a mixture of salt and freshwater. Fortified by provisions secured at island stops along the way, the ships reached the Philippines on March 1521.
Today’s advancement in communication and navigation, the Spanish Navy frigate Mendez Nuñez (F-104) docked at South Harbor’s Pier 15 today. But of course, the stopover of the Spanish Navy is not for conquering the Philippines. This visit is just commemoration of Magellan’s work. Instead, it would strengthen the ties between the Philippine Navy and the Spanish navy by sharing their ideas.
The Álvaro de Bazán-class air defense frigate of the Spanish Navy, the Méndez Núñez (F104). It is armed with the AEGIS combat system and capable of defending itself in any type of treats. The frigate consists of around 200, and all of them are highly specialized and well-trained.
The ship will stay in the country for three days.
