According
to rumors that emerged recently in the Spanish press, the Philippines
as well as several Arab countries have expressed interest in purchasing
the former Spanish Navy Aircraft Carrier Principe de Asturias. In
case of a sale, the contract would include refit and upgrading of the
vessel by Spanish shipyard Navantia. |
It
is reported that Indonesia already expressed interest in the vessel
earlier this year. Following an official visit by TNI AL (Indonesian
Navy) delegation to the El Ferrol naval base however, Indonesia decided
not to purchase the aircraft carrier.
Principe de Asturias was officially decommissioned in February
2013, with the initial intention to dismantle it for scrap. However
this initial plan changed when Spanish Ministry of Defense reportedly
received several requests for the aircraft carrier from several countries.
Spanish Navy confirmed that there are potential buyers, but has yet
to materialize any sales transaction.
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