Zarvan
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In terms of firepower and displacement the Alvaro de Bazan class frigates are more closer to destroyers
Country of origin Spain
Entered service 2002
Crew 250 men
Sea endurance ?
Dimensions and displacement
Length 146.7 m
Beam 18.6 m
Draught 4.9 m
Displacement, standard ?
Displacement, full load 5 853 tons
Propulsion and speed
Speed 28 knots
Range 8 300 km at 18 knots
Propulsion CODOG propulsion. 2 x gas turbines (47 328 shp) and 2 x diesel engines (12 240 shp), driving two shafts
Airwing
Helicopters 1 x SH-60B Seahawk, Fire Scout UAV
Armament
Artillery 1 x 127-mm gun, 1 x 20-mm gun, 2 x 20-mm CIWS
Missiles 48-cell vertical launch system for 64 x ESSM and 32 x Standard SM-2MR surface-to-air missiles, 8 x Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles
Torpedoes 2 x twin 324-mm torpedo launchers for 24 x Mk.46 torpedoes
Other 2 x anti-ship mortars
In the early 1980s, the Spanish Navy identified a need to develop a new frigate for escort duties. In 1983, Spain decided to participate in the future NFR-90 Frigate initiative. The NFR-90 project would see eight NATO members trying to co-develop a common ship. However, this project was eventually abandoned in 1989, given the divergence of national requirements among the participating nations. This led Spain to develop its own F-100 class of frigate.
Spain desired to create a technologically advanced warship, which would also feature a high degree of national industrial input. In 1994, Spain signed an agreement with Germany and the Netherlands to co-develop the F-100. However, unlike NFR-90, this agreement only covered co-operation on the design of the ship itself, not its construction or associated weapons systems.
The first ship of the class was named after the admiral Alvaro de Bazan. It was launched in 2000 and commissioned in 2002. A total of 5 frigates were completed for the Spanish Navy. All of these frigates were constructed by the Spaish shipbuilder Izar. The sixth ship of the class was planned but was eventually cancelled.
The Alvaro de Bazan class has strong anti-air warfare weapons. Missions of these Spanish frigates include protection of expeditionary forces, anti-submarine duties, long-range anti-aircraft defence and anti-missile protection. The vessels are also fitted with command facilities and can act as flagships.
In terms of displacement and firepower the Spanish Alvaro de Bazan class frigates are more closer to destroyers. Actually these warships have much ship platform commonality with the DutchDe Zeven Provincien class anti-air warfare destroyers. It seems that Alvaro de Bazan class ships are designated as frigates for political reasons.
The ships' weapons feature the Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics SPY-1D Aegis radar. The Aegis is in service with the US Navy. It is a world class air defense system. It is also present on Japan'sKongo class, South Korea's Sejong the Great class. The radar can detect air targets at a range of over 300 km and track hundreds of targets simultaneously. The system controls the detection and engagement of hostile air, surface and submarine threats. The Aegis computer system is linked to the ship's weapon control system and command and decision system. Using a multi-function phased array AN/SPY-1 radar. Furthermore, the vessel is fitted with the Link 11 secure tactical data system for communication with other naval assets.
The Alvaro de Bazan class is fitted with a 48-cell Mk.41 vertical launch system. It is armed with a combination of Standard SM-2MR and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM). These missiles are linked to the Aegis system. The SM-2MR has a range of 70 km, while the ESSM has a range of 50 km. A total of 32 SM-2MR and 64 ESSM missiles are carried.
Other Alvaro de Bazan's weapons system is reinforced with the Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles. The Harpoon has a range of 120 km, a 220-kg warhead and and active radar and thermal guidance. Additionally, the vessel is fitted with a 127-mm United Defence Mk.45 gun for shore and anti-ship bombardment. It has a maximum range of 23.6 km. Gun control is provided by the Dorna radar/electro-optic fire control system. The Dorna system includes K-band radar as well as infra-red, TV and laser range-finding. A FABA Meroka 2B weapon system forms the Close-In Weapons System (CIWS), which features two 20-mm guns. Further anti-submarine/anti-shipping capabilities are provided via two Mk.32 twin torpedo launchers for Mk.46 lightweight torpedoes.
Submarine detection is provided by a Raytheon DE 1160 active and passive sonar system. The ships also carry two anti-ship mortars. The Alvaro de Bazan's electronic countermeasures suite includes four chaff and decoy launchers, together with an acoustic torpedo countermeasures system.
The vessel was designed with a 26.4-m long flight deck, which can accommodate the Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk anti-submarine warfare helicopter. The Spanish navy ordered some of these helicopters. The first was delivered in 2001. These are locally known as HS.23. The helicopters are fitted with Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and FLIR. They can also deploy AN/SQQ-28 LAMPS III sonobuoys to aid submarine detection. The Spanish Navy also planned to purchase the Northrop Grumman Fire Scout UAVs in order to improve the vessel's precision targeting capabilities, when guiding weapons during land attack missions.
The Alvaro de Bazan class ships are the first modern Spanish warships that incorporate ballistic resistant steel in the hull.
The Alvaro de Bazan class frigates have a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion. Machinery includes two General Electric LM 2500 gas turbines, delivering 47 328 shp and two Bazan/Caterpillar diesel engines, delivering 12 240 shp. Powerplants are mounted on anti-vibration mounts to reduce noise. The ship has two shafts.
Related warships
Fridtjof Nansen class. It is a Norwegian class of frigates, based on the Spanish Alvaro de Bazan class. A total of five ships were built in Spain for the Norwegian Navy. The first one was commissioned in 2006.
Hobart class. It is an Australian class anti-air warfare destroyers. It is based on the Spanish Alvaro de Bazan class. Three ships are planned by the Royal Australian Navy. The first of them was completed by 2016.
Name Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
Alvaro de Bazan (F101) ? 2000 2002
active, in service
Almirante Don Juan de Borbon (F102) 2001 2002 2003
active, in service
Blas de Lezo (F103) ? ? 2004 active, in service
Mendez Nunez (F104) ? ? 2006 active, in service
Cristobal Colon (F105) ? ? 2012 active, in service
Juan de Austria (F106) ? ? - cancelled
