The Álvaro de Bazán class (also known as the F100 class of frigates) are a new class of Aegis combat system-equipped air defense frigates entering service with the Spanish Navy. They are being built in the Spanish factory of Ferrol and are named after Admiral Álvaro de Bazán.
The ships utilize American Aegis weapons technology allowing them to track hundreds of airborne targets simultaneously as part of its air defense network. The F100 Alvaro de Bazan class multirole frigate is one of the few non-US warships to carry the Aegis Combat System and its associated AN/SPY-1 radar. (Japan's Kongo class and the F100-derived Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen class of frigates also use the Aegis system.)
The F100 will be the basis of the Australian Hobart class destroyer (previously known as the "Air Warfare Destroyer"). The Australian government announced in June 2007 that, in partnership with Navantia, three F100 vessels will be built for the Royal Australian Navy with the first due for delivery in 2014.
Lockheed Martin, Navantia and the U.S. Navy are conducting final systems integration.
The Alvaro de Bazan class frigates are the first modern vessels of the Spanish Navy to incorporate ballistic resistant steel in the hull, along with the power plants being mounted on anti-vibration mounts, reducing the noise and making them less detectable by submarines.
Ships of the class (year entered service)
F101 Álvaro de Bazán (2002)
F102 Almirante Juan de Borbón (2003)
F103 Blas de Lezo (2004)
F104 Mendez-Nuñez (2006)
F105 Cristobal Colón (2011)
F106 Juan de Austria (2012)
Operational History
In late 2005, Álvaro de Bazán was deployed as part of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier battle group in the Persian Gulf. This was the first deployment of a Spanish warship as part of an American naval battle group.
In early March 2007, the Álvaro de Bazán was the first Spanish Naval Vessel to visit Australia in 150 years. The ship made several port visits around Australia in conjunction with the Spanish Naval ship builder Navantia's bid to design the Royal Australian Navy's new Air Warfare Destroyer. The ship was also visiting Australia as part of the first circumnavigation of the globe by a Spanish warship in 142 years.
Álvaro de Bazán is seen here alongside in Leith
Seen here with the Spanish naval tanker Patiño
