The Spanish Navy has officially launched the F111 frigate ‘Bonifaz’, marking the first unit of the F110 programme at the Navantia shipyards in Ferrol.
The event took place on 11 September in the presence of President Pedro Sánchez and was sponsored by Queen Sofía.
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The ship, named after the first admiral of Castile, Ramón Bonifaz, was launched a month earlier than planned, with over 70% of its construction completed.
Prior to the launch ceremony, Spain’s Minister for Defence Margarita Robles participated in the acceptance signing at Navantia facilities.
Military and civilian leaders were present, including Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral General Teodoro López Calderón and Chief of Staff of the Armada (AJEMA) Admiral General Antonio Piñeiro.
Piñeiro said: “The frigate ‘Bonifaz’ is not just a new naval unit; it is a reflection of Spain’s commitment to innovation and technological sovereignty. This warship will give us a decisive strategic and deterrent advantage, and along with the guidelines described in the document ‘Armada 2050’, this unit will serve to anticipate future challenges.”
Following this launch, fitting out will continue at the shipyard until delivery is scheduled for 2028.
In April 2019, the Spanish Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Navantia for five F110 frigates.
Currently, three of these five F110 units are under construction in Ferrol.
The F112 blocks are also progressing after their keel-laying in April 2025. The workshops are currently constructing the remaining blocks of the F112 and nine blocks of the F113.
The F110-class frigate will feature an advanced design with significant automation. Each vessel will measure 145m in length, 18m in beam, and have a draft of 5m.
The displacement will be 6,100 tons with a crew of 150 personnel.
The frigate’s flight deck will support helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, with future provisions for directed energy weapons.
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