F100 Alvaro de Bazan

The F100-class frigates have designed to provide area air defense against advanced airborne threats such as supersonic missiles and stealth aircraft with secondary capability against surface ships and submarines. These frigates will also perform as crisis management center and flag ship for the Spanish Navy or Multinational strike groups. According to Spanish Government Sources, they are also intended as a ship-based ballistic missile defense system, but that seems to be unrealistic due to SPY-1D limitations. The Alvaro de Bazan ships are the first European warships mounting the AEGIS weapon system. Four AN/SPY-1D radar antennas have been provided to these ships as well as associated equipment. A 48-cell MK41 VLS has been installed on the stem deck of the F100 frigates containing Standard SM-2 Block IIIA and ESSM missiles. In addition 8 Harpoon missiles, torpedoes and a 127mm naval gun will provide anti-ship capability. A helicopter hangar and a flight deck located at the stern of the ship will make possible to operate a single SH-60B LAMPS III helicopter for anti-submarine (ASW) anti-surface warfare (ASuW). The F100-class frigates will also feature two 20mm Meroka close-in weapon system and reduced radar cross section for improved survivability. There are plans to integrate the Fire Scout UAV into these ships but this option has not been confirmed yet. The Spanish Navy has ordered 4 F100 frigates to enter service by 2005 replacing five aging Knox-class frigates currently in service. They will operate in both blue water and shallow water environments. In May 2005 the Spanish government approved the construction of the fifth F100-class frigate (F105) to be commissioned in 2012.

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