Future of the Spanish Navy

"El Corazon se debate entre el Atlantico y el Mediterraneo"

Cartography:
Of the entire Spanish land aera, 1, 04% (5,240 km2 (2,023 sq mi) is water (rivers/lakes).
Coastlines: 4964 km; EEZ aera: 551,874 (28,782 sq mi) km2

Personnal Strenght:
+/- 19 000 active (included naval aviation & marines) ; 9000 reserve.

1 Light Aicraft-Carriers (STOBAR/STOVL)
1 Principe de Asturias
(Principe de Asturias), 16 000+ tons, 195+ meters, VSTOL light-carrier of US 1970’s design. Commissioned by 1988, with probable +/- 30 year of service, to be retired by 2015, likely without direct replacement.

+/- 11 Destroyers/Frigates
Up to 6 F-110 ?
Currently under initial study, this future frigate design was intended to replace, by 2018/2026, all 6 FFG o the Santa-Maria class.
- The current design under study was a trimaran hull frigate (F2M2 design, by Navantia)

5 Alvaro de Bazan (F-100)
(Alvaro de Bazan, Almirante Juan de Borbon, Blas de Lezo, Mendez Nunez, Cristobal Colon), 6200 tons, 146 meters AAW frigate. Commissioned by 2002/2012, with probable +/- 30 year of service, to be retired around 2030/2040.

6 Santa-Maria (F-80)
(Santa-Maria, Victoria, Numancia, Reina Sofia, Navarra, Canarias), 3900 tons, 138 meters, ASW/AAW frigate (from US O.H.Perry design). Commissioned by 1986/1995, with probably +/- 30 year of service, to be retired around 2016/2025.

4 Submarines (toward a total renewal)
Up to 4 S-80
2200+ tons, 71 meters newer SSK design. All four expected to be commissioned by 2013/2016.

4 Galerna (S-70)
(Galerna, Sirocco, Mistral, Tramontana), 1500+ tons, 67 meters SSK (derived from the famous French Agosta 70 design. Commissioned by 1983/1985, with 30 year of service, to be replaced by the S-80 class around 2013/2016.

+/- 12 Corvette/Ocean Patrol-Vessels
Up to 8 ? Meteoro class

(Meteoro, Rayo, Relampago, Tornado, others currently not yet named). 2500 tons, 93+ meters, highly versatile OPV design (Light Corvette, OPV, Survey, Pollution, Intelligence...). First four expected to be commissioned by 2011/2012. Maybe ? the last four expected by 2015/2017.

4 Descubierta
(IInfanta-Elena, Infanta-Cristina, Cazadora, Vencedora). 1200+ tons, 88+ meters corvettes. Commissioned by 1979/1982, now all converted to Ocean Patrol-Boats (P-76/79). All expected to be retired by 2012/2015 and replaced by the Meteoro OPV.

4 Serviola
(Serviola, Centinela, Vigla, Atalya), 1200 tons, 68 meters OPV. Commissioned by 1991/1992, likely to be retired by late 2010's.

4 Chilreu (P-60)
(Chilreu, Alboran, Arnomendi, Tarifa), 67 meters, 2400 tons large trawlers style. Commissioned by 1992/2004.

+/- 6 Mid-Shore Patrol-Boats
2 Toralla (P-80)
(Toralla, Formentor), 28 meters, 130 tons. Commissioned by 1987/1989.

4 Anaga (P-20)
(Tagomago, Grosa, Medas, Tabarca), 44 meters, 310+ tons. Commissioned by 1981.

+/- 2 Inshore Patrol-Boats
1 P-114
(P-114), 13 meters, 20 tons, built by 1979.

1 Fradera
(Fradera), 17 meters, 28 tons, built by 1963.

+/- 3 Large Amphibious
1 Juan Carlos I (LHD)
(Juan Carlos I), 27 000 tons, 230 meters LHD design. Commissioned by 2010, with probable +/- 30 year of service, to be retired around 2040.

2 Galicia (LPD)
(Galicia, Castilla), 13 000 tons, 166 meters LPD design (designed in collaboration with Dutch). Commissioned by 1998/2000, with probable +/- 30 year of service, to be retired around 2030.

1 Hernan Cortes (LST)

(Pizarro), Ex-US LST of the Newport class, built by early 1970’s, transferred to spain by 1994. Likely to be retired by early 2010's.

Small/Medium Amphibious Crafts:
14 LCM
14 LCM (601 to 614, 2 prototypes included), 23 meters, 55/115 tons, built by 2001-2004

+/- 7 Mine-warfare
1 Diana (MCM Command ship)
(Diana), a modified Descubierta corvette, 88 meters, 1500 tons. Modified by 2000, now ageing ship, likely to be retired without direct replacement during 2010's.

6 Segura (M-30), Mine-hunters
(Segura, Sella, Tambre, Turia, Duero, Tajo), 54 meters, 550+ tons. Commissioned by 1999/2005, to be retired around 2025/2035.

+/- 3 Fleet-Oilers/Replenishment Ships:
1 Marques de la Ensenada
(Marques de la Ensenada), 13 000 tons, 126 meters. Commissioned by 1991, likely to remain in service until late 2010's.

1 Patino
(Patino), 17 000 tons, 170 meters, built by 1995, to remain in service at least until mid 2020's.

1 Cantabria
(Cantabria), a enlarged/improved “Patino” design, 19 000 tons, 174 meters, Commissioned by 2010, to remain in service at least until mid 2030's.

1 Training Ship (sailing ship)
1 Juan Sebastian Elcano
(Juan Sebastian Elcano), 113 meters, 3500 tons, built by 1928.

+/- 7 Others Auxiliary ships (Ro-Ro/Transport):
1 Contramaestre Casado
(Contramaestre Casado), acquired by 1982, ex-sweden ship, built by 1953

1 Martin Posadillo
In commission by 2000.

1 El-Camino Espanol
1999, Brazilian built by 1999

2 Alerta
(Alerta, intelligence-ship, Ex-german ship; Mar-Caribe, Former civilian-Tug), 76 meters, 220 tons, built during 1980's and transfered/acquired by 1992.

1 Salvage & Rescue Ship
1 Neptuno
(Neptuno), 57 meters, 1800 tons, built by 1975, acquired by 1988.

+/- 8 Oceanographic/Hydrographic/Survey-Ships:
1 Esperides

(Esperides), 82 meters, 2800 tons, commissioned by 1991.

1 Las-Palmas

(Las-Palmas), 42 meters, 1500 tons, built by 1978, acquired by the Spanish Navy in 1982.

4 Malaspina

(Malaspina, Tofino, Antarès, Rigel), 38 meters, 360 tons, commissioned by 1974/1975, to be retired during 2010's).

2 LHT'S (small-crafts)
(A 91/92)

2 Fleet Tugs:
2 Mahon
(Mahon, La Grana), 41 meters, 1500 tons, built by 1977/1981.

Naval Aviation:
Aircrafts:
- 16 AV-8 Harrier
- 3 CE-550 Citation II (Transports/Utility)
- 7 P-3B Orion (Maritime-Patrol/ASW)

Helicopters
- +/- 23 ASW helico (11 SH-3 Sea-King ; 12 SH-60B Seahawk)
- 19 Utility helico (9 HU-18 Bell 212; 10 Hughes 500)

Spanish Marines (+/- 5000)
Tanks: 16 M-60A3TTS
Armored-Vehicles: 18 Piranha
Amphibious Armored Vehicles: 19 AAV-7
Artillery: 6 M-109A2 (155mm); 12 M-56 pack (105mm)
Others: Some ATM (Tow-2), Some 90mm recoiless-riffle, Some Manpad (Mistral).

Coast-Guards (Guardia Civil Del Mar) +/- 760 personnals
+/- 32 In-shore/Mid-Shore Patrol Boats
Various size (11,9 meters; 17,4 meters; 22 meters; 24 meters).

The Spanish Navy is currently experiencing a significant modernization of its fleet (helped by the development of its shipbuilding industry = aka . Navantia). This upgrade allows it to hold a place among European navies.

Next fleet review/editorial: Future of the Brazilian Navy.

As usual, It may be that in my opinion, I forgot programs ? (or made few mistakes ?, especially for the auxiliary and smaller ships), then SAID IT ! Feel free to comment and give your opinion !