Spain Launches the F111 “Bonifaz” Frigate, First of the F-110 Program

At the Navantia shipyard in Ferrol (A Coruña), Spain celebrated a historic milestone with the launch of the F111 “Bonifaz” frigate, the first unit of the F-110 class. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Her Majesty Queen Sofía, who christened the vessel by breaking a bottle against its hull before it slid into the water.

Over 5,000 people, including Navantia employees, their families, and partner company staff, gathered to witness the launch. The event featured the Spanish national anthem performed by the Northern Tercio Music Unit. The frigate, blessed by Navy Chaplain Vicente Hernández Chumillas, touched the water one month ahead of schedule with more than 70% of its construction already completed.

A Key Program for the Spanish Navy

Approved in 2019, the F-110 program calls for the construction of five next-generation frigates, which will enter service over the next decade. The F111 will be delivered in 2028, with subsequent units scheduled annually until 2032.

• Displacement: about 6,100 tons

• Dimensions: 145 meters long, 18 meters wide

• Speed: over 25 knots (≈46 km/h)

• Crew: around 150 personnel, with facilities for helicopters and unmanned vehicles

The F-110 class will feature anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine capabilities, while also supporting NATO joint operations and international maritime security missions.

Cutting-Edge Technology

The new frigates incorporate some of the most advanced naval technologies developed in Spain:

• SCOMBA, the new-generation combat system integrating sensors, weapons, and command.

• Digital Twin, a real-time virtual replica of the ship that enhances operational efficiency and predictive maintenance.

• Integrated Services System, co-developed with Galician universities, designed to reduce internal cabling and improve reliability.

• Integrated mast, combining radars and antennas to optimize electromagnetic use and lower radar signature.

• Hybrid propulsion, offering quieter operation, reduced consumption, and a smaller acoustic footprint.

Industrial and Strategic Impact

The F-110 program will generate around 9,000 jobs and involve more than 500 companies across Spain, reinforcing the country’s naval industry and revitalizing Galicia’s economy.

Admiral Antonio Piñeiro, Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy, emphasized that the F111 “is not just a new vessel but a demonstration of Spain’s technological sovereignty and strategic vision.” Navantia Chairman Ricardo Domínguez highlighted the project as “a symbol of Spanish innovation,” following the global success of the earlier F100 class.

The launch of the F111 “Bonifaz” marks the beginning of a new era for the Spanish Navy, combining military strength with industrial and technological progress.