Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1258433
flagship. The vessel is relatively new, thus MLU is not required as for now. However, intensified work would be necessary, should the Navy decide to replace its AV-8B+ Harriers with the F-35B. The de- fensive assets of Juan Carlos, meanwhile, are an issue often men- tioned by the Navy. The arsenal only includes manually operated 20 mm Oerlikon Tipo 5TG cannons and Browning M2HB machine guns. For the reason above it would be desirable to retrofit the vessel with a AAA/Missile based CIWS solution or, in a cost-effective scenario, remotely controlled cannon stations. Apart from Juan Carlos I, two other landing ship docks are used by the Spanish Navy for power projection purposes. Galicia, com- missioned in 1998, and Castilia, commissioned in 2000. The ves- sels are a result of a joint Spanish-Dutch project that resulted in the joint development of a new Enforcer-class dock landing ship. Eight vessels have been created based on that project in total, for the Dutch, British and Spanish navies. The duo has remained ac- tive for two decades now. The Armada Española has claimed the necessity to upgrade these. Similarly as in the case of the F-100 frigates, nowadays one can only speak of the scope of moderniza- tion desired by the command. The scope of upgrades would include C2 systems, and, as in the case of Juan Carlos, the vessels would also be retrofitted with small-caliber artillery assets and VSHORAD missile systems. Landing craft embarked on the three Spanish vessels are an in- dispensable element of the inventory here. The Armada currently operates ten LCM-1E vessels introduced between 2001 and 2015. Combat Support Ships Buque de Aprovisionamiento en Combate (combat support ships) support the operations of the Spanish vessels away from main- land-Spain. These are used to provide replenishment (fuel and "dry" stock). The first one - Pacino - was commissioned in 1995. The oth- er one, Cantabria - in 2010. At the moment Spain plans to acquire another Cantabria-class vessel that would replace Pacino. To avoid the cost increase, the new combat support vessel would adopt a modified Cantabria design. Patrol Vessels The Spanish Navy, together with Guardia Civil, remains responsible for patrol duties around the Iberian Peninsula and in remote areas. A geographical division of regional responsibility has been adopted by the services listed above. The Navy is dealing with blue water ops, while Guardia Civil focuses on the littoral waters. This is why the Navy currently operates large ocean-going patrol vessels be- longing to four classes. The following vessels are currently operated by Armada Española: Last two Discubierta-class vessels (originally designed as corvettes; some of their armament has been removed at the onset of the Century and they have been reclassified as patrol vessels). They have been active in this role since 2004. They are based in Cartagena; • Four Serviola-class vessels commissioned between 1991 and 1992, in Ferrol; • Three Chileru-class vessels commissioned between 1997 and 2004, in Cartagena. • Six Meteoro-class patrol vessels. NAVY