The "Infanta Elena" is the third "Descubierta"-class corvette built by BAZAN in Cartagena and delivered to the Spanish Navy on April 12th 1980. Her Battle Ensign was presented by HRH Infanta Elena in Alicante on June 10th 1983. From September 2004 to June 2005, the corvette was converted into an Offshore Patrol Boat (P-76). Her home port is Cartagena.
LENGTH | 88.8 |
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BEAM | 10.4 m. |
DISPLACEMENT | 1.510 tons. |
WEAPONS: | 4 "Harpoon" missiles. One 76/62 OTTO-MELARA gun. One 20/120 OERLIKON machinegun. Two 12.7 mm BROWNING machineguns. 4 Chaff launchers. |
SENSORS: | Air radar DA-05 Surface radar ZW-06 DT radar WM-25 Navigation radar MD-3721 Navigation radar KH-1007 Electronic Warfare set (Mk-1600) DOA DM-76 TRISTAN IV Command and Control System: 2 MFC, 1 CRETA, LINK-11, ANDU |
COMMUNICATIONS | 3 TX HF, 8 RX HF, 2 TR HF, 6 TR UHF (2 HQ), 2 TR VHF, INMARSAT B, UWT. |
PROPULSION | 4 MTU engines. |
MISCELLANEOUS | FAS/RAS/VERTREP capabilities 2 RHIBs (6 m) – 130 HP 1 RHIB (7.5 m) – 200 HP 8 self-inflatable craft for 20 people each |
CREW | 89 |
As a corvette, the "Infanta Elena" took part in several national and NATO exercises. For many years, new Spanish Navy midshipmen carried out their final year cruise in this ship. She participated, as part of a Multinational Force, in the UN naval blockade in the Red Sea during the 1991 Gulf War. She also participated in operation ROMEO SIERRA during the Perejil conflict.