In the Southern Europe-Mediterranean region, there is a country with such a naval force that is comparable to the powerful Italian navy, and has the reputation of "the kingdom of football, the country of bullfighting, and the country of passion", that is Spain.
Spain's reorganized aircraft carrier fleet
As a country that once had an invincible fleet, Spain was able to spread its influence across the world through the ocean, thanks to the rapid development of its early maritime power. One of them is the invasion and conquest of the Aztec / Inca / Maya civilization. These civilizations are the native civilizations of South America that we know as the conquerors.
Juan Carlos class light aircraft carrier
Currently, Spain has a "Juan Carlos class (full load of 27,000 tons)" light aircraft carrier , which is a multi-purpose warship of the Spanish Navy that combines the functions of a light aircraft carrier and an amphibious assault ship . The ship has a ski-jump deck that leads directly to the flight deck and the bow, which is suitable for vertical or ski-jump takeoff and vertical landing of the carrier-based aircraft , and can adapt to the take-off and landing of the Harrier fighter aircraft and the future F-35 fighter aircraft . The ship will be used as an aircraft carrier with priority, especially after Spain decommissioned the aircraft carrier Prince of Asturias amid financial and economic difficulties. The ship will take over its aircraft carrier duties. The ship was named after the former king of Spain, Juan Carlos I.
"Alvaro Bazin" class Aegis destroyers
As for the main surface combat ships, there are five "Alvaro Bazin" class Aegis destroyers (full load 6,300 tons) equipped with the only Aegis combat system in Northern Europe except Norway. It is the largest surface combat ship and the only fleet air defense force of the Spanish Navy.
The Spanish "Santa Maria" class frigate No. 6 "Canarias" frigate (F105)
The "Santa Maria" class is an imitation of the American "Perry" class and is mainly used to perform anti-submarine tasks. The F-110 frigate project is the next step in the modernization of the Spanish Navy. It plans to build 5 ships at a cost of 4.325 billion euros to replace the "Santa Maria" class, which has an average age of 27 to 35 years. The first ship started construction in 2020 and was launched in 2021. It was originally planned to enter service in 2033. Its combat capabilities are between those of the F-100 frigate and patrol ship.
"Meteor" class BAM (marine picket) patrol ships
There are 9 patrol ships, 6 of which are "Meteor" class BAM (maritime picket) patrol ships, with a full load displacement of 2,670 tons, equipped with a 76mm gun, and have been in service from 2011 to 2019. There are also three other old patrol ships with only 12.7mm machine guns in firepower.
The number one transport ship of the Spanish Navy
The Spanish Navy also has a transport ship, which is a second-hand ro-ro ship purchased by the Spanish Navy for 7.5 million euros. Now this ship is used as a Spanish Navy logistics transport ship. According to public information, this ship has a displacement exceeding the Chinese People's Liberation Army Type 055 10,000-ton guided missile destroyer. The ship can carry 45 trucks, 1117 cars, trailers and other vehicles at a time. Although obsolete, it operates well in Spain and there are still quite a few ro-ro ships of this type in operation around the world as ferries.
Agosta-class submarine
"Isaac Peral" S-80 class submarine
As for the underwater attack force, there are currently two old "Agosta-class (1,760 tons underwater)" submarines still in operation. The Agosta-class submarine is a type of conventional submarine developed by France. Its main task is to perform patrol and reconnaissance missions in the ocean, and can be both anti-submarine and anti-ship. What will replace them in the future is the "Isaac Peral" S-80 class submarine developed by Spain (underwater displacement 3,400 tons AIP submarine ). Currently, one submarine has been launched, and four are planned to be completed within the cycle.
