Spanish Navy launches its second F-110 frigate

Launching of the Spanish Navy's second frigate in the F-110 Bonifaz-class, Roger de Lauria (F-112), in the Ferrol Estuary in Spain on 27 October 2026. (Spanish Navy)

The Spanish Navy launched its second F-110 Bonifaz-class frigate, Roger de Lauria (F-112), in the Ferrol Estuary, Spain on 27 October 2026, according to a navy press release issued the same day.

Roger de Lauria – like its sister ship Bonifaz – forms part of the initial five-ship F-110 programme being delivered by Spain's Navantia to replace the ageing Santa María-class. These multi-purpose escorts combine an AEGIS combat system and surface warfare capabilities, with an emphasis on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) using acoustic sensors and a combined diesel-electric and gas (CODLAG) propulsion system that uses electric motors to reduce the ship's acoustic signature.

According to Navantia, F-112 was launched four months ahead of the delivery schedule agreed with the Ministry of Defence.

The Spanish Navy and Navantia are also developing a second flight of two marginally larger F-110 hulls adapted for integrated air and missile defence (IAMD), which would complement the initial five ships with substantially enhanced air-defence capability.

Construction of the launched vessel will continue alongside at the Shipyard until its delivery in 2029, said Navantia; the navy said this work concerns the installation of its armament and equipment. The next two frigates in the series are already in production at Ferrol: five blocks of the Menéndez de Avilés (F-113) are on the slipway, while initial work on the Luis de Córdova (F-114) is under way at the new Digital Block Factory. F-111, the first in class, is undergoing its systems installation and start-up phase. It is scheduled to begin sea trials in 2027. Navantia is scheduled to complete the series with the delivery of Barceló