Surface Ships

The Spanish Navy has the most modern frigates of Europe. They are the indigenously built, state-of-the-art F-100 ‘Álvaro de Bazán’-class frigates designed by NAVANTIA and adapted for operation in the 21st century. Although they were primarily conceived as anti-air frigates thanks to the US AEGIS Combat System, capable of simultaneously tracking as many as 500 targets, they can also operate in any scenario as multi-purpose anti-surface or anti-submarine units.

Within this type of ships, the Spanish Navy has also the ‘Santa María’-class frigates built in Spain at the end of the 90’s following the US-designed ‘Oliver Hazard Perry’ escorts. These frigates were purposely built for the anti-submarine warfare but they have ample capability for anti-ship and anti-air warfare. In the first decade of the 21st century they underwent an intensive mid-life overhaul program to extend their operational life.

The Spanish Navy has also upgraded its logistic fleet substituting the traditional transport ships with modern amphibious assault ships and strategic projection ships. To this end, it is worth mentioning the ‘Galicia’-class amphibious ships with a well deck for landing craft and a large flight deck, both aft. They were designed to accommodate up to a Marine Corps Battalion (600 people) with its equipment.

The indigenously designed strategic projection ship LHD ‘Juan Carlos I’ is the largest warship the Spanish Navy has ever operated and has recently replaced the decommissioned aircraft-carrier ‘Príncipe de Asturias’ as the main Fleet air-capable ship, while enhancing the Amphibious Group capabilities as she can accommodate a full MC Brigade.