Frigates: Baleares, Andalucia, Cataluna, Asturias, Extremadura F71-75 (1968-2009) Spanish Day ! The renewal of the Spanish fleet, from Franco’s inheritance to the modern force we known today, went though an important step, the Balears class Frigates. They marke as reset of Spanish shipyard’s expertise with a modified version of the American Knox-class frigates. Albeit very … Read more
DDEs before 1955: Audaz, Osado, Meteoro, Furor, Rayo, Ariete, Temerario, Intrépido, Relámpago (1953-1982) The Audaz class had a rather unique story. Built by Bazán for the Spanish Navy they were initially a Spanish version of the French interwar “Le Fier” class torpedo boats. But during their long construction and through redesigns and operational life they … Read more
Aircraft Carrier (Built from 1978, service 1988-2013) The Príncipe de Asturias, originally named Almirante Carrero Blanco, was a light aircraft carrier and former flagship of the Spanish Navy built in Bazán’s Shipyards and commissioned on 30 May 1988. This was the first Spanish Carrier since many years, but the country more or less operated one … Read more
Built 1947-1970: Oquendo, Roger de Lauria, Marqués de la Ensenada (decom. 1981-88) The Oquendo class Destroyers are a rare case: Post-WW2 Spain years were not favourable for new naval plans or ship construction, and yet, the Spanish destroyer force was near obsolete. Apart Liniers and Álava completed to a new design in 1946-1947, the Audaz … Read more
Spanish Aircraft Carrier (1967-1989) The Dédalo (1967) was Spain’s second aircraft carrier, after her namesake (1922-1947) being more a seaplane and balloon carrier. An ex-Independence class fast carrier, USS Cabot, exhumed to the mothballs and offered to Spain in 1967, at first on loan and later completely modernized and equipped with the AV-8S Matador, sold … Read more
