Navantia has launched the F-111 Bonifaz, the first in Spain’s new F-110 frigate class, signaling a key milestone in the renewal of the Spanish Navy’s fleet.
Laid down in April 2022, the vessel was floated ahead of schedule with over 70% of construction finished. Final delivery is planned for 2028.
The frigate honors Ramón Bonifaz, Castile’s first admiral, and leads a series of five Bonifaz-class vessels designed to replace the six Santa María-class frigates, which entered service in the mid-1980s.
Approved in 2019 with a budget of €4.3 billion ($5.09 billion), the program currently has three ships under construction at Ferrol, with delivery timelines set for 2028–2030 and full completion by 2032.
With a length of 145 meters and beam of 18 meters, the F-110 frigates are multi-mission platforms, capable of anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, as well as maritime security and joint operations.
They can embark 150 personnel and a marine helicopter, such as the SH-60 Seahawk.
Their weapons suite includes torpedoes, SAMs, SSMs, naval guns, guided munitions, and machine guns.
The propulsion system—a gas turbine plus four diesels with controllable-pitch propellers—delivers speeds above 25 knots (46 km/h / 29 mph).
