The US State Department has approved a $1.7 billion foreign military sale (FMS) to Spain to support the mid-life upgrade of the Spanish Navy’s F100 frigate fleet. The modernization effort will cover five Álvaro de Bazán-class warships, which have been in operational service with Spain since the early 2000s and form a core element of the country’s naval air defense capability.
The approved package includes five Aegis combat systems, six digital signal processors, five Mk 41 Baseline VIII vertical launch systems, and five next-generation surface search radars. Additional equipment will support the ships’ integration into Spain’s broader air and missile defense network, including satellite communications terminals, naval gun and torpedo components, munitions, mission software, training, repair, and logistics services.
Delivery and integration will be carried out in cooperation with Lockheed Martin, Ultra Maritime Naval Systems and Sensors, and General Dynamics. As part of the agreement, the US government will deploy American military and contractor personnel to Spain on a temporary basis to provide technical oversight, system reviews, and workforce training. Defense officials say the upgrade is expected to extend the operational life of the F100 frigates through 2045.
Also known as the Álvaro de Bazán-class, the F100 frigates measure 147 meters in length with a beam of 19 meters. The vessels are equipped with naval artillery, close-in weapon systems, machine guns, autocannons, surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, and anti-submarine torpedoes. Each ship can embark an SH-60 Seahawk-class helicopter and carries a crew of approximately 200 personnel. Powered by gas turbines and diesel engines, the frigates reach speeds of 28 knots and have an operational range of 4,500 nautical miles, reinforcing their role as long-endurance air defense platforms.
