Navantia has successfully launched the F-111 Bonifaz, the lead ship of Spain’s new F-110 frigate class. This launch, a month ahead of schedule, represents a crucial step in the renewal of Spain’s surface combatant fleet. Construction of the vessel began in April 2022, and with more than 70 percent completed, delivery is expected in 2028. The frigate is named after Ramón Bonifaz, an iconic figure in Spanish naval history and the first Admiral of Castile.
The Bonifaz-class program will deliver five frigates to replace the six Santa María-class ships that have served since 1986. Approved in 2019 with a budget of €4.3 billion ($5.09 billion), the program is one of Spain’s largest naval modernization efforts. Currently, three frigates are under construction at Navantia’s Ferrol shipyard, with deliveries spread across 2028, 2029, and 2030. The full series of five is expected to be operational with the Spanish Navy by 2032.
The F-110-class frigates are designed for multi-domain warfare and maritime security missions. With a length of 145 meters and a beam of 18 meters, each vessel can house up to 150 personnel and carry a helicopter, such as the SH-60 Seahawk. The frigates will feature a comprehensive weapons loadout, including torpedoes, naval guns, machine guns, and both surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles, making them adaptable to a variety of mission profiles.
Equipped with a propulsion system that integrates a gas turbine with four diesel engines and controllable-pitch propellers, the Bonifaz is capable of speeds above 25 knots. With their advanced systems, firepower, and endurance, the F-110-class ships are poised to become the backbone of the Spanish Navy’s fleet, enabling Spain to take on broader roles in NATO and international maritime security operations.
