Aircraft

Since the mid-20th century, the Spanish Navy has been operating different types of aircraft. At first, only helicopters but later fixed-wing aircraft operating from the first aircraft-carrier of the Navy: the ‘Dédalo’. Successive fixed-wing capable ships were the carrier ‘Príncipe de Asturias’, recently decommissioned, and the brand-new LHD ‘Juan Carlos I’.

Fixed-wing aircraft include the Cessna ‘Citation’ from the 4th Aircraft Squadron used for logistic, maritime surveillance and personnel transport, and the AV-8B+ VTOL ‘Harrier’ fighters from the 9th Squadron. Their mission include the defense of a naval force, combat air patrols (CAP), armed reconnaissance, and naval and land attacks. They also provide close air support (CAS) to forces deployed on land. These aircraft can use a wide assortment of weapons; among them, free-fall, GPS and laser-guided bombs, AGM-65 ‘Maverick’ air-ground missiles; and AIM-9 ‘Sidewinder’ and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-air missiles.

The most modern helicopters are the Sikorsky SH-60B from the 10th Aircraft Squadron. These helicopters were primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare and were deployed on board the F-80 class frigates to attack submarines far away from the naval force. Since their acquisition by the Spanish Navy they have undergone a series of upgrading and updating process to fully integrate with both, the F-80 and the new F-100 frigates and, as a result, enhance the anti-ship and anti-submarine capabilities. Six new helicopters will be procured in the near future.

The 5th Aircraft Squadron operates Sikorsky ‘Sea King’ SH-3D and SH-3W. The first ones are used for personnel transport and the other version for airborne early warning in support of a naval force.

Other aircraft include the AB-212 (3rd Squadron), originally procured for anti-submarine operations, but converted into Marine Corps support aircraft for amphibious warfare and Special Naval Warfare unit missions. They are perfectly fitted to operate from Spanish Navy warships for the so-called secondary missions like materiel transport, search and rescue (SAR) and medical evacuations (MEDEVAC).

Finally, the 6th Aircraft Squadron is made up of Hughes H-500 helicopters, the most ‘senior’ among the Spanish Navy rotor-wing aircraft. Their main mission is training but they are also employed in support missions.