Spain: Armada aims to expand its fleet to 12 frigates

The Armada currently has eleven frigates: Six slightly modified replicas of the American OLIVER H. PERRY frigates of the SANTA MARIA class (F80, 138 metres, 4,000 tonnes) from the 1980s/90s and five frigates of the ALVARO DE BAZÁN class (F100, 146 metres, 6,200 tonnes, German-Dutch-Spanish design, built by Navantia) from 2002 to 2012. As the newbuildings of the BONIFAZ class (F110, similar to the new American CONSTELLATION class) planned to replace the six ships of the SANTA MARIA class have so far only been planned in the amount of five units, an important flagship would be lost in the total number. To counter this development, the Spanish Navy has now set a target of twelve multi-purpose frigates for the decade of the next 30s. Together, they should be able to cover the entire spectrum of air defence, surface and underwater combat, as well as missile defence. In addition to the ten F100 and F110 ships that will then be available, two further frigates are to be added, which will also be specially equipped for ballistic missile defence in extended airspace. They are to be equipped with a more powerful radar sensor system and a faster, longer-range missile weapon system in order to be successful both at long range and in the final approach of ballistic and hypersonic attack weapons. Consequently, they are considered type F120 and, although largely based on the design of the F110, will probably require slightly more length and tonnage to provide sufficient space for the new systems. The first unit of the BONIFAZ class has been under construction since the middle of the year and is due to be launched by 2025 and put into service by 2028. The four sister ships will then follow by 2032.