Spain plans its first aircraft carrier capable of operating US-style CATOBAR fighters

Without a doubt, this could be the news of the day, and even the year, in the field of naval defense in Spain, if confirmed.

The plans of the Spanish Navy for two aircraft carriers and the future embarked fighter
The Spanish Navy's alternatives if the government does not approve the purchase of F-35 fighters

The Efe news agency published today that the Spanish Navy is planning its first conventional aircraft carrier, that is, one capable of operating CATOBAR aircraft (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery), like those currently used by the French aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" and by the large US aircraft carriers of the Nimitz class and Ford class.

Efe reports that the Spanish Navy is planning a ship inspired by the "Charles de Gaulle" and capable of operating up to 30 combat aircraft (which is exactly the number of Rafale M fighters that the French aircraft carrier carries). "The public company Navantia is already studying the feasibility of this new ship on behalf of the Navy, which would join another amphibious aircraft carrier similar to the current Juan Carlos I, which the Navy also plans to acquire in the future," reports Efe. According to Infodefensa, the new aircraft carrier could be active in 15 years.

Thus, we would be talking about three aircraft carriers operating simultaneously: one CATOBAR and two LHDs. It would be the first time in history that Spain operates three aircraft carriers. However, regarding the CATOBAR aircraft carrier, Efe warns: "Although inspired by the French aircraft carrier, the new Spanish ship that the Navy and Navantia are already working on will not be nuclear-powered like the Charles de Gaulle but conventionally powered, although its capabilities will be similar."

This propulsion issue, likely stemming from the current Spanish government's political rejection of nuclear energy, could limit the new ship's operational capacity by making it dependent on combat supply ships or port calls when planning long-distance deployments. This is a drawback that French and US aircraft carriers do not have.

The great advantage of a CATOBAR aircraft carrier is that Spain would have more fighters to choose from to operate on this new ship. Currently, in the aeronautical market, the only option available for an LHD aircraft carrier like the "Juan Carlos I" is the F-35B, a STOVL (short takeoff and vertical landing) aircraft, since the Harrier II is already reaching the end of its operational life.

The list of CATOBAR aircraft includes the F-35C (the version of this stealth fighter that is operated by the United States Navy and Marine Corps), the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (although within 15 years Spain would have to buy them second-hand) and the Rafale M (it is the naval fighter used by France, as I have pointed out above). Infodefensa points out that the new ship could operate the naval version of the FCAS, the sixth-generation fighter that Germany, Spain and France are working on together, provided the program is not cancelled.

Another option would be a naval Eurofighter. The consortium that manufactures this European fighter proposed a navalized version to the United Kingdom for its Navy, but it ultimately fell through. In 2011, a STOBAR (short takeoff and arresting wire recovery) version was proposed for India, but that country ultimately opted for the Rafale M.

It is important to point out a major drawback of using the "Charles de Gaulle" as a model for the new CATOBAR aircraft carrier designed by the Spanish Navy. Unlike the American ships of the Nimitz and Ford classes, the French aircraft carrier cannot operate simultaneous takeoffs and landings, which limits its operational capacity. This is because its two aircraft launch catapults are located over the oblique landing strip (in the case of the first, completely, and in the case of the second, only at the beginning and at the jet deflector, but also eliminating landings).

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Main photo: Marine Nationale. The aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" of the French Navy.