The strategic plans of the Spanish Navy are based on the National Defence Directive (NDD) signed by the President of the Government in June 2020. A subsequent Defence Policy Directive was then approved by the Minister of Defence. These serve to guide the Concept of Employment of the Armed Forces (CEFAS-21).[1] The earlier 2003 Strategic Defence Review identified six capabilities as critical to the navy. These included: a "Projection Capability" and three subordinate capabilities (Protection, Freedom of Action and Operational Logistic Support). Additionally, the protection of national maritime interests at sea (sovereignty protection) and contributing to early warning were identified to round out the strategic planning framework. The core element has been the "Projection Capability" which was deemed to necessitate platforms that included: a command and control ship, amphibious shipping, an aircraft carrier, platforms with land-attack capabilities and a strategic projection ship.The protection and logistical support capabilities necessitate ships with surface-to-air,surface-to-surface and ASW capabilities while the logistic support capabilities require vessels capable of sustaining task forces on deployment.[2]
In January 2023, it was announced that Spain would procure the Naval Strike Missile for the ship to carry out anti-ship and land-attack missions.[4] Delivery is anticipated from 2027.[5]
Submarines
S-80 class (equipped with air independent propulsion for multiple tasks; 1 in service, 3 more planned)[6]
Two offshore patrol vessels (BAM III) were approved for acquisition in 2023 at a cost of 550 million Euros; they are planned for service entry in the mid to latter 2020s[9]
Based on the Meteoro class for sovereignty protection tasks,[10] a platform is envisaged that will be more survivable and combat capable. Toward that end, Spain is a partner in the European Patrol Corvette program which envisages a vessel for delivery starting in the early 2030s.[11]
Auxiliary ships
Search and Rescue ship
Poseidón (A-21)[es]Meteoro modified class (authorized for construction at a projected cost of 166 million Euros in 2021; she began construction in July 2023 and is planned for delivery in 2026)[12][13][14]
Oceanographic Research ship (2 planned)
Combat Support Ship (1 vessel planned to complement existing AORs Cantabria and Patiño)[15]
Naval Aviation
In October 2022, the General State Budget allocated EUR220 million (US$216 million) to start the process of replacing both the Air Force's F/A-18 Hornet and the Navy's AV-8B Harrier aircraft. A request for information has also been sent to the United States Government about both the F-35A and F-35B aircraft.[16] Total projected budget of 6.25 billion Euros as of 2022.[14]
In 2022, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) authorized the sale of eight MH-60R helicopters to Spain, to replace the SH-60B helicopters of the Tenth Aircraft Squadron.[17][18] In 2023 the Council of Ministers appropriated 820 million for its acquisition, including engines, missiles and rockets.[19] In the longer-term, the acquisition of the NH-90 helicopter is planned as the Navy's principal multi-purpose helicopter.[20]
In 2021, 18 H135 "Nival" helicopters were ordered by the Defence Ministry, of which 7 will be allocated to the Navy's newly formed 12th Squadron. The first aircraft was delivered in October 2023.[21]
In December 2023, the Spanish Ministry of Defence ordered 16 maritime surveillance variants of the C-295 aircraft for the Spanish Air Force and Navy to replace the formerly flown P-3 Orion aircraft. Six of the aircraft are to be equipped for anti-submarine and anti-surface vessel warfare while the remaining ten aircraft are to operate in a maritime surveillance configuration. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027.[22]
The Spanish Navy or officially, the Armada, is the maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces and one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Spanish Navy was responsible for a number of major historic achievements in navigation, the most famous being the discovery of America and the first global circumnavigation by Elcano. For several centuries, it played a crucial logistical role in the expansion and consolidation of the Spanish Empire, and defended a vast trade network across the Atlantic Ocean between the Americas and Europe, and the Manila Galleon across the Pacific Ocean between the Philippines and the Americas.
Juan Carlos I is a multi-purpose aircraft carrier-landing helicopter dock (LHD) in the Spanish Navy. Similar in role to many aircraft carriers, the amphibious landing ship has a ski jump for STOVL operations, and is equipped with the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II attack aircraft. The vessel is named in honour of Juan Carlos I, the former king of Spain.
The S-80 Plus class is a Spanish class of four submarines being built by the state-owned Spanish company Navantia at its Cartagena shipyard for the Spanish Navy. In common with other contemporary submarines, they feature air-independent propulsion.
The Guaiquerí-class patrol vessels are a class of ocean patrol vessels or POVZEE in Venezuelan Navy service. The lead ship were originally intended to have the pennant F-31 and name of Guaicaipuro but has since been renumbered.
The Argentine Naval Aviation is the naval aviation branch of the Argentine Navy and one of its four operational commands. Argentina, along with Brazil is one of two South American countries to have operated two aircraft carriers.
The Meteoro-class offshore patrol vessel, also known as Buque de Acción Marítima (BAM), are new modular offshore patrol vessels of the Spanish Navy adapted to different purposes from a common base, manufactured by Navantia. The BAMs combine high performance with mission versatility, a high commonality with other ships operated by the Spanish Navy. Acquisition and lifecycle costs are reduced.
Meteoro (P-41) is the lead ship of the Meteoro class, a new kind of offshore patrol vessel created for the Spanish Navy and called BAMs.
Furor (P-46) is an offshore patrol vessel and the sixth of the Meteoro class created for the Spanish Navy.
Blas de Lezo (F-103) is a Spanish Navy guided missile frigate of the Álvaro de Bazán class. This is the third ship class of air defense frigates in the Spanish Navy. It was named after the 18th century Spanish Admiral Blas de Lezo. The ship was built by Izar Shipbuilding in Ferrol, Spain and entered into service in 2004.
The F110 class, also known as the Bonifaz class, are a multi-purpose, anti-submarine class of Aegis combat system-fitted heavy frigates under construction for the Spanish Navy. The project is being co-developed by the Spanish Ministry of Defence and the state-owned company Navantia. The construction of the first unit (Bonifaz) started in April 2022. Deliveries are scheduled to start in about 2025.
Cristóbal Colón is the fifth and last ship of the Álvaro de Bazán-class of air defence frigates entering service with the Spanish Navy. The ship is named after Christopher Columbus, the Genoese explorer that claimed the discovery of America in the name of the Crown of Castile. It is the most modern ship of the Spanish Navy.
ROU 26 Vanguardia is a Piast class salvage and marine research vessel in service with the Uruguayan Navy. The ship was laid down for the East German Navy in 1976, before being acquired by the German government after the Reunification of Germany. The ship was purchased by the Republic of Uruguay in 1991 and renamed Vanguardia.
On 15 November 2017, the Argentine submarine ARA San Juan disappeared off the coast of Argentina while on a training exercise. After a search lasting 15 days, the Argentine Navy downgraded the operation from a rescue mission to a search for the submarine's wreck, implying they had given up any hope of finding survivors among its crew of 44. It was the worst submarine disaster since the accident on Chinese submarine 361 in 2003, and the second worst peacetime naval disaster in Argentina after the 1949 sinking of the minesweeper ARA Fournier.
Delfín is a diesel-electric submarine of the Daphné class that was used by the Spanish Navy between 1973 and 2003. During the submarine's 30 years of service, the vessel participated in various national and international exercises and maneuvers, made more than 2,500 voyages, more than 30,000 hours of immersion and served in this submarine more than a thousand sailors. At the time of her retirement, she was the longest-serving submarine in the history of the Spanish Submarine Fleet.
ARA Almirante Bartolomé Cordero (P-54) is the fourth and final Gowind-class offshore patrol vessel constructed for the Argentinian Navy.
Atalaya (P-74) is a Serviola-class patrol boat of the Spanish Navy built in 1991. The ship's primary missions are oceanic patrol, fishing control, escort, and maritime rescue. Its home port is at the La Graña Naval Station in Ferrol.
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