Several warships converge in the port of Malaga amidst a military escalation

For several days now, the port of Málaga has been hosting technical stops for various Spanish and European warships, coinciding with the escalating military tension between Israel and Iran. The most imposing of these, in terms of size, currently making a stop at the docks of the capital is the Galicia (L-51). This is a Spanish Navy amphibious assault ship, measuring 160 meters in length and 25 meters in beam.

The ship is designed to transport a battalion of 400 infantry soldiers with all their gear. It is also equipped with a medical wing, operating room, and laboratory, as well as an arsenal for naval ammunition of all kinds, including space for 30 torpedoes. Additionally, it can carry 33 battle tanks; or 170 armored vehicles or six light landing craft or four heavy ones.

The Galicia, manned by a crew of 185, has been docked at the Palmeral since this Saturday and is attracting numerous visitors. The open house this Sunday will be from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM. It will depart next Monday.

Along with the former, the Cantabria (A-15), a 174-meter combat supply ship, also made a stop today next to the cruise terminal at the Levante dock. Like the former, the declared reason for its visit is to make a rest stop and carry out resupplying operations, among others.

In addition to the two aforementioned ships, this Sunday afternoon the port of Málaga will also see the arrival of a French navy amphibious assault ship: the Dixmude L9015, measuring 199 meters in length, which will surely not go unnoticed. This vessel primarily functions as a helicopter carrier, with a 6,400 square meter flight deck and six landing spots.

Moreover, the hangar has space available for between 16 and 30 helicopters (depending on whether they are Tigers or Super Stallions). It also offers the capability to transport Leclerc heavy tanks, among others.

The current round of warship stops began in the middle of this week, with the stop of the Italian military navy patrol boat Giovanni Delle Bande Nere (P-434), which was in the city from June 18 to June 20.

The situation at the port of Málaga has raised concerns among left-wing political groups. Thus, the Podemos deputy Martina Velarde has submitted a set of questions to the Congress aimed at clarifying the conditions and motivations allowing the simultaneous arrival of several warships at the port of Málaga these days.

In her opinion, this concentration of military ships in a civilian port, without a strategic military character, has generated "unease" among numerous citizen groups, as well as among residents concerned about the international context of increasing militarization.