The Portuguese Navy’s frigate Bartolomeu Dias is visiting the Angolan port of Luanda until April 2, where it is carrying out training with Angola’s navy.
The frigate docked on March 25 after taking part in Exercise Obangame Express 2015 in the Gulf of Guinea. The United States-sponsored exercise took place from March 19 to 27.
The vessel’s captain, Paulo Cavaleiro Angelo, said the cooperation with the Angola Navy is part of the Open Sea initiative aimed at deepening cooperation within Portuguese Speaking Community (CPLP) member countries, reports AngolaPress.
Angelo said that Portuguese and Angolan soldiers will carry out training exercises involving combat diving, ship boarding, maritime threats etc. The Portuguese Navy started training off the Angolan coast on March 24, with the support of a Portuguese Air Force Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft.
The Bartolomeu Dias will depart on April 2 for Sao Tome and Principe, where the frigate will train regional partner in combatting maritime threats, and promote cooperation among African and European countries and the United States, reports AngolaPress.
