Construction under way for Spanish F110 frigates
Block 311 is placed onto slipway 2 at Navantia's Ferrol shipyard. The company has already built a pilot block for the F111 ship prior to building the keel block to fine-tune its production systems. (Photo: Navantia)
Spanish shipbuilder, Navantia, has completed the first step in the construction of the Spanish Navy’s first new F110 class frigate.
The company laid the keel for the first of five frigates, F111, at its Ferrol shipyard in A Coruna during a ceremony on 9 August.
In a press release, Navantia stated that fabrication of the keel block started in April 2022 and that F111 would be launched in 2025 before being delivered to the Spanish Navy in 2028.
The shipyard will continue to deliver the remaining four ships in the F110 class (numbering F112-F115) on an annual drumbeat through to 2032 when the fifth and final unit will be commissioned.
Related Articles
Spanish Navy still waits for new submarines
Navantia delivers second Al Jubail-class Saudi corvette
Construction on ship 2, F112, is expected to begin by the end of 2023. Navantia stated that production is ahead of schedule with 18 of a total 33 blocks that will make up F111 in the manufacturing process.
A ‘digital twin’ vessel is being developed at Ferrol that is a virtual replica of the ship that receives data from the frigate's sensors in real time through a series of networks that improves support and maintenance operations.
The five F110 ships will replace the Spanish Navy’s Santa Maria-class frigates and be equipped with anti-aircraft, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
The contract for the F110 programme was signed with Navantia in 2019 for €4.325 billion.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Raytheon will develop an advanced naval sensing and targeting system for DARPA]()
Raytheon will develop an advanced naval sensing and targeting system for DARPA
RTX’s solution for DARPA’s Pulling Guard programme is intended to provide advanced maritime defence technologies to protect platforms against uncrewed surface vehicles and other threats.
-
![Spain’s F100 upgrade mirrors Aegis modernisation paths in allied navies]()
Spain’s F100 upgrade mirrors Aegis modernisation paths in allied navies
The Spanish Navy’s Alvaro de Bazan-class of air defence frigates will receive the latest Aegis Weapon System technology among other modernisations to extend the service life to 2045.
-
![UK’s Fleet Solid Support ship programme deemed on track despite steel supply concerns]()
UK’s Fleet Solid Support ship programme deemed on track despite steel supply concerns
Shipbuilders are saying the programme is going ahead on time as the government estimates 7.7 million tonnes of steel are needed for 2026 infrastructure projects.
-
![Raytheon unveils details of its proposal for the US Navy/NATO ESSM Next Significant Variant]()
Raytheon unveils details of its proposal for the US Navy/NATO ESSM Next Significant Variant
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, Raytheon’s VP of Shipboard Missiles disclosed what improvements the company plans to offer for the Sea Sparrow NSV.
