Prior to that the ship, then named Jasmund, had been operating for the Volksmarine until the German reunification.

[1][2][3] According to the Spanish Navy, the ship is currently homed at Cartagena Naval Base, as a member of the Maritime Action Unit.

[4] However, given the nature of the ship's equipment, it is widely known that Alerta also performs eavesdropping missions mainly along the Maghreb analyzing electromagnetic signals between 1 and 40 GHz.

Additionally, a modular electronic suit allows the ship to fulfill other missions for different branches of both the Spanish military and allied nations.

[6] Given the ship's age and technological limitations it has been widely speculated about its replacement in the near future.