The Baleares class were a group of five frigates built for the Spanish navy in the 1970s. The ships are a modified version of the American Knox class frigates. The key differences are the replacement of the Sea Sparrow PDMS and ASW helicopter facilities by Standard SAM and associated radars. They received a SPS-52B 3D search radar and one SPG-51 illuminator for the Standard SM-1 medium range SAM, fired from a Mk22 16 round single arm launcher. The SQS-26 long range LF sonar was replaced by a SQS-23G MF sonar, while two Mk25 tubes for Mk37 torpedoes we mounted in the tramson. The SQS-35 variable depth sonar was maintained.
The five ships were upgraded several times during their service lives. They received a Spanish TRITAN combat data system and the EW suite was upgraded with Spanish equipment. Mk36 SROC decoy launchers were also added, as well as two quadruple Harpoon launchers amidships. Two Meroka CIWS gun system were also fitted. The old SQS-23G sonar was replaced by a modern DE-1160LF set built in Spain (a larger, lower frequecy version of the SQS-56 sonar) and the Mk25 tubes were dismounted to allow for female crewmember berthing.
The Ships have recently been retired, in order to assume the F-100 frigates costs .
Ships of the class
F71 Baleares 1970 - 2004
F72 Andalucia 1971 - 2005
F73 Cataluna 1971 - 2004
F74 Asturias 1972 - 2009
F75 Extremadura 1972 - 2006
Andalucia is seen here alongside in Leith
