Praia, May 21, 2026 (Lusa) – The Spanish Navy ship 'Furor' is in Cabo Verde as part of the European Union's coordinated maritime presence off Africa, this time using a drone to demonstrate how to improve maritime surveillance in the archipelago.
"When there are several ships, it is impossible to board them all, and with this tool, we can see many boats in a short period and have proof of what is happening. It is very useful," said Lieutenant Commander Ángel García Estrada, captain of the Furor.
A few days ago, a drone enabled the ship to detect illegal fishing boats as they passed near the mainland.
"They were fishing without their [identification] transmitter turned on and, when we boarded the vessel, they did not have a licence. So, we notified the countries of Senegal and Mauritania of what was happening in their waters. Thanks to the drone images," he said.
High-definition cameras and a silent operating mode allow operators to see the type of fish being caught, in one case, a shark, which is prohibited, as well as the number of people on board, their nets, and equipment, without anyone realising they are under observation.
Authorities identified another marine pollution problem off the coast of Guinea-Conakry.
The coordinated surveillance objectives include combating drug trafficking, human trafficking, and piracy.
The commander spoke aboard the Spanish vessel, which hosted Cabo Verdean military and security authorities on Thursday, along with representatives from other nations, for a four-hour voyage. The trip demonstrated the M5D Airfox drone, which features a 2.4-metre wingspan and a length of just over one metre.
Solar panels cover the wings, and once the electric propeller is started, a catapult launches the device from the ship's main deck; personnel can also launch it by hand or from land.
The device disappears into the sky within seconds. A controller similar to a gaming console operates the system, with two screens: one displays the real-time map position, and the other shows the live camera feed.
The surveillance capability extends over a 35-kilometre radius and can withstand strong winds.
Following a flight over Cidade Velha, the drone received an order to return to the boat, where a net is raised to catch and secure it until the next mission.
"We believe this equipment fits the profile of countries like Cabo Verde," said Bruno Lima, drone director at Marine Instruments. The Vigo-based company manufactures these ultra-lightweight electric devices, which weigh 4.5 kilograms and offer 10 hours of autonomy in a sunny country.
He said that using helicopters or light aircraft, with all their complexity, maintenance, and fuel requirements, "are much more expensive alternatives."
The Airfox system, comprising three models and accessories, costs €500,000 and requires two operators, who can use it after a two-week training period.
"Cabo Verde has been selected for an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF), which decided to purchase a vessel, an acquisition currently underway," said Ana Paredes Prieto, Spain's ambassador to Cabo Verde, adding that everything points toward a second support package.
She believes that this new measure "will provide sufficient funds to develop Cabo Verde's surveillance capacity through drones".
"It is better to use drones than helicopters because they are economically more accessible. This is what we are doing in the Spanish Navy, and we wanted to share it with Cabo Verde," she said.
Elton Rocha, Cabo Verde's national director of Defence, told Lusa that "as an affordable medium, it is certainly a new acquisition possibility for the Ministry of Defence".
Cabo Verde's authorities are working "to secure another [assistance] measure and propose the acquisition of drones", as they possess the right profile to "fulfil the missions assigned to the Armed Forces", he said.
Meanwhile, Airfox will continue its surveillance operations, and one of the next steps will include adding infrared cameras to enable night missions.
LFO/RYOL // ADB.
Lusa
