King Felipe observes maritime drills in Cádiz

Spanish King Felipe VI visited Cádiz to observe training by the Civil Guard’s Maritime Service, attending exercises that included fast-boat interception, boarding operations and search-and-rescue simulations. Off the Cádiz coast he watched a demonstration in which the patrol boat Río Tiétar pursued and boarded a suspected drug-smuggling vessel. At the Maritime Service base he met service members, inspected equipment and stressed that Spain’s sovereignty, coasts and islands rely on “capable and ready forces.”

Cádiz, which hosts the Maritime Service’s coastal operations centre, has become a hub for training in maritime law enforcement, anti-smuggling patrols and migration-control missions amid concerns over rising irregular migration and coastal crime. Officials said the royal visit bolstered morale among personnel and reaffirmed the Crown’s backing of the Civil Guard and other security agencies.

The visit highlighted recent investments in maritime capabilities, including new fast-patrol vessels, remote-sensor drones for sea surveillance and upgraded coastal radar systems in southern Spain. Civil Guard leaders described the Cádiz exercises as part of a wider effort to maintain readiness across Spain’s Atlantic and Mediterranean maritime perimeter, stressing the need for coordinated responses to smuggling, illegal migration and environmental risks at sea.

King Felipe framed the training as more than tactical preparation, saying it reflects values of service, duty and commitment and linking the protection of citizens with stewardship of the marine environment. His presence underscored the symbolic role of the monarchy as head of the armed forces and a unifying institution at the country’s borders. Officials noted the visit follows other engagements this year by the monarch with naval and coast-guard units, forming part of a pattern of sustained royal interaction with Spain’s defence and security forces.

During the visit, personnel demonstrated boarding techniques and interception tactics designed to secure vessels and protect lives while minimising environmental harm. Search-and-rescue drills illustrated coordination with other agencies and the use of updated equipment to respond to incidents in challenging coastal conditions. The demonstrations aimed to validate training routines and test new hardware under realistic scenarios, reinforcing operational confidence among crews.