Spain to start the building of its new F-110 frigates this year.

The Spanish government has confirmed that Navantia is to start the construction of  5 units of its new class of frigates, the F-110, this May.

F-110 Frigate scale model on display at SNA 2017 (Picture source : Navy Recognition)

The Spanish MoD has confirmed that five new frigates are to be built this year by Spanish shipbuilder Navantia, for an amount of € 4 billion (about $US 5 billion). As a reminder, this contract had been awarded to Navantia in 2018.

The first of these five vessels is expected to be delivered by 2025, while the last one is scheduled to be delivered by 2030/2031.

The new class of ships is known as the F-110 project and is set to replace the six Santa Maria-class frigates (F-80) commissioned with the Spanish Navy service between 1986 and 1994.

Officially designated Buque de Superficie de la Armada (patrullero multifunction) for Navy Surface Ship (multifunction patrol), the F-110 will be larger than Spanish navy's BAM (Buque de Acción Marítima) OPV but smaller than the F-100 Alavaro de Bazan class AEGIS Frigates.

As multifunction vessels, the F-110 could be fitted with 16 Mk 41 VLS cells for SM-2s and ESSM surface-to-air missiles, 2 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, 2 torpedo launchers, 2 30mm guns and a 127mm (5-inch) main gun.

Sensors will include the new integrated mast (combining fire control radar, main search radar, communication devices and EW sensors), a towed array and a hull sonar.

A "multi mission space" will allow to transport and deploy unmanned vehicles (AUV, USV, UUV), containers and RHIBs. F-110 are expected to reach 30 knots thanks to a the hybrid propulsion system.