The Armada celebrates the launching of the first F110 frigate, sponsored by Queen Sofia and presided over by the President of the Spanish Government.

Yesterday, September 11, Navantia shipyards in Ferrol hosted the launching of the F111 frigate ‘Bonifaz’, the first unit of the F110 program for the Spanish Navy

The event was presided over by the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, and sponsored by Her Majesty Queen Sofía, the Queen Mother.

The ceremony was attended by the Chief of the Defense Staff (JEMAD), Admiral General Teodoro López Calderón, and the Chief of Staff of the Armada (AJEMA), Admiral General Antonio Piñeiro, as well as by other military and civilian authorities.

“The frigate ‘Bonifaz’ is not just a new naval unit; it is a reflection of Spain’s commitment to innovation and technological sovereignty. This warship will give us a decisive strategic and deterrent advantage, and along with the guidelines described in the document ‘Armada 2050’, this unit will serve to anticipate future challenges”, said the AJEMA.

Around 5,000 people, mostly from Navantia and their families, as well as from the partner companies, gathered at the yard for the ceremony. The frigate slid to the sea after receiving her 'baptism' with a bottle of Albariño wine and to the tune of the Spanish national anthem played by the Marine Corps’ Music Band. Vicar Vicente Hernández Chumillas, director of Religious Affairs of the Spanish Navy, performed the ritual of blessing the ship.

The F111, named in honor of the first admiral of Castile, Ramón Bonifaz, was launched one month ahead of the scheduled date agreed with the Ministry of Defense, and with a degree of completion above 70 percent. Before the ceremony, Defense Minister Margarita Robles attended the signing of the acceptance ceremony in Navantia facilities.

From now on, the fitting out of the ship will continue at the shipyard dock until her delivery in 2028. In Ferrol, three of the five units of the series are currently under construction, with four blocks of the F112 on berth after the keel-laying milestone that took place in April 2025. The remaining blocks of the F112 and nine blocks of the F113 are being built in those workshops.