Thales sonars for F110 frigates

The Spanish Navy’s five F110 frigates will be equipped with Thales sonars to provide the vessels’ anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability, the company announced on 12 December.

Thales will deliver the CAPTAS 4 Compact and the BlueMaster sonars, TUUM-6 underwater communication system and the BlueScan digital acoustic system for integration with the SCOMBA Combat Management System.

The sonar systems will enable the F110 to conduct maritime surveillance, search and protection missions in any theatre of operations.

BlueScan is a collaborative ASW solution that processes high volumes of sonar data from various different platforms to provide the operator with a complete overview of the acoustic situation in real time.

Alexis Morel, vice president, underwater systems, Thales, said: ‘After two years of talks with the Spanish Navy and Navantia about this contract to equip five F110 frigates, we welcome Spain's decision to join other NATO countries (the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Norway) and Australia in placing their trust in Thales for their ASW capabilities.

‘With our Spanish partners, and with Navantia in particular, we are very pleased to have the opportunity to strengthen our cooperation on this programme, in which local industry will play a significant role in producing, integrating and maintaining the systems alongside the Spanish Navy.’

Related Equipment in Defence Insight

UMS 4110

Captas-4 Sonar 2087

Bonifaz Class (F-110)