Aboard one of the F-100 frigates: a look at the Spanish Navy's 'destroyers'

In late May, the frigates "Álvaro de Bazán" (F-101) and "Almirante Juan de Borbón" (F-102) visited the Port of Vigo; both belong to the "Álvaro de Bazán" class, also known as the F-100 class.

This is a shot of the main gun of the F-100 frigates of the Spanish Navy
Harrier II on the Take-off Ramp of the L-61

First of all, a caveat regarding the title of this post (in fact, I was discussing this just a few days ago with a friend who is a naval engineer). The Australian version of the F-100—almost identical to the Spanish one—is classified as a destroyer, and according to some sources, the Spanish F-100s should have been designated as such given their displacement and firepower. It is possible that the "frigate" designation stems from the lack of an integrated anti-submarine warfare system, but my impression is that it is due, rather, to the fact that calling these ships "destroyers" in Spain would have sounded too bellicose. The perils of political correctness...

The F-100s are among Spain's most modern warships and rank among the most advanced of their class internationally, particularly due to their excellent integration of the AEGIS system—a combat system currently fielded by only five navies worldwide, including Spain's. The most distinctive feature of the AEGIS system is the set of four radar arrays located above the frigate's bridge: two at the front (on the starboard and port sides) and two at the rear, next to the ship's funnel. This system enables the F-100s to track up to 90 aerial targets at ranges of up to 500 kilometers and destroy them at a range of 170 kilometers.

They are sizable vessels, measuring 147 meters in length and 18.5 meters in beam, with a displacement of 5,800 tons. Their propulsion system consists of two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines (generating a total of 23,500 hp) and two Bazán Bravo-Caterpillar 3600 diesel engines (providing 6,000 hp). They can reach speeds of 29 knots. They carry a crew of 216 personnel.

In terms of weaponry, the most easily distinguishable element is the 127 mm Mk.45 Mod.2 gun at the bow. It is an automatic gun with a 20-round magazine, capable of engaging targets at a range of up to 24 kilometers. Pictured here is the F-102's Mk.45 gun.

Immediately behind the gun is an Mk-41 vertical launch system, consisting of 48 cells. This system can launch RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow anti-ship missiles or RIM-66 Standard surface-to-air missiles. In this photo, we see the launcher on the F-102.

On either side of the Mk-41 launcher—to port and starboard—are mounts for two 12.7 mm Browning M2 heavy machine guns. Here, we see the mounts on the F-102.

Flanking the bridge to port and starboard are two 20mm Oerlikon cannons (the F-105 mounts 25mm BAE Systems cannons instead). Here, we see the port-side cannon of the F-102, positioned just below the nameplate of the frigate *Almirante Juan de Borbón*. To the left, on the bridge, is the emblem of the 31st Escort Squadron of the Naval Action Force—the unit comprising Spain's five F-100 frigates, all of which are based at the Ferrol Naval Arsenal (A Coruña).

Immediately aft of the funnel are two RGM-84 Sub-Harpoon Block II anti-ship missile launchers (one mount facing port and the other starboard). Here, in the foreground, we can see the launchers on the F-102, and behind them, those on the F-101.

The F-100s can embark a Sikorsky SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter (the one in the photo is the HS.23-04 / 01-1004), as they feature a flight deck at the stern. These helicopters, belonging to the 10th Squadron of the Spanish Navy's Aircraft Flotilla (FLOAN), are based at Rota (Cádiz).

To house the Sea Hawk helicopters, the F-100s are equipped with a hangar. I admit it seemed a bit small to me; performing helicopter maintenance in there must be rather complicated.

In addition, each F-100 frigate carries two auxiliary RHIBs—one on each side of the vessel—which are hoisted by dedicated cranes located next to them. These craft are used to transport the visit and boarding teams tasked with searching other vessels.

And that’s all. I leave you here with a series of 43 photos of the visit by frigates F-101 and F-102 to Vigo that I’ve uploaded to my Flickr account: