Spanish government approves modernisation of F-100-class frigates

Spanish Navy Álvaro de Bazán (F-100)-class frigate Álvaro de Bazán (F 101). The modernisation of the class is expected to extend their service lives to 2045. (US Navy)

The Spanish government has approved plans to modernise the Spanish Navy's five Álvaro de Bazán (F-100)-class frigates, the Spanish Council of Ministers announced on 25 November.

The modernisation is to have a duration of 10 years and will extend the frigates' service lives to 2045. The work is valued at approximately EUR3.2 billion (USD3.7 billion). In a separate announcement the following day, Navantia said it will modernise the class at its Ferrol shipyard.

The ships in the class are currently halfway through their planned operational lives, having entered Spanish Navy service between 2002 and 2012. The F-100-class frigates have a displacement of 6,250 tonnes, a length of 146.7 m, and a top speed of 28 kt.

The modernisation is expected to increase commonality with the navy's future Bonifaz (F-110)-class frigates. In December 2023, Kongsberg was awarded a contract to replace the navy's Harpoon anti-ship missiles with the company's Naval Strike Missile (NSM). NSM Block 1A is expected to be retrofitted to the F-100s during the modernisation. Other changes are likely to include integration of Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIA/B/C and an upgrade to ESSM Block II standard. NSM, SM-2, and ESSM Block II are all planned for the F-110 class. Similarly to the F-100s, the F-110s will also feature Lockheed Martin's Aegis combat system and Mk 41 vertical launch system (VLS).

Further analysis and assessment online:

Navantia launches first F-110 frigate

Kongsberg awarded contract for supply of Naval Strike Missiles to Spain