Ferrol; October 2026: Spanish Navy has launched its 02nd of the 05 frigates in the F-110 program at the Ferrol.The F-112 “Roger de Lauria” will continue its construction afloat after its launch in Ferrol. The platform will incorporate the SCOMBA combat system, the AN/SPY-7(V)2 radar, an Integrated Platform Management System, and an integrated mast.
Navantia S.A. is a Spanish state-owned shipbuilding enterprise dedicated to civil and military naval construction, the design of deep-tech systems and the manufacture of structures for the renewable energy sector, such as offshore wind or hydrogen, has launched the F-112 Roger de Lauria, 04 months ahead of schedule with the Ministry of Defence. The vessel, destined along with the other F110s to replace the Santa María-class frigates, will now continue its construction afloat, with delivery scheduled for 2029, while the shipyard simultaneously works on three other vessels in the series.
The launch took place from slipway 3 and coincided with high tide. According to Navantia, the frigate reached this stage with a higher degree of installation and assembly than usual, as was the case with the first unit, the F111 Bonifaz. The launch marks the beginning of a new phase of work at the dock.
The ceremony was attended by the Secretary of State for Defence, Amparo Valcarce; the President of SEPI, Belén Gualda; the President of Navantia, Ricardo Domínguez; and the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Antonio Piñeiro. Representatives from regional and local governments, shipyard workers, family members, and collaborating companies were also present. The ship's godmother was Almudena de Arteaga y del Alcázar, a descendant of the admiral for whom the ship is named.
After the blessing by military chaplain Vicente Hernández Chumillas, the hull was lowered into the estuary while the Northern Marine Corps Band played the Spanish national anthem. The name Roger de Lauria commemorates the admiral of the Aragonese and Sicilian fleets.
04 (Four frigates) in different stages of construction: The industrial calendar currently includes several projects underway in Ferrol. The F-111 Bonifaz is in the systems installation and startup phase, with sea trials scheduled to begin in 2027. The F-112 will continue its construction at the dock until its announced delivery in 2029. Behind it, the F-113 has 05 blocks on the slipway, and the F-114 has begun initial work at the new Digital Block Factory. The contract covers five escort vessels, prepared to respond to air, surface, and underwater threats, operate with other units, and support civil authorities in maritime security operations.
Navantia estimates the program's impact at nearly 9,000 jobs over more than ten years, with the participation of some 500 companies nationwide. The company places the contribution of national suppliers at 65 percent and highlights the involvement of its facilities in the Bay of Cádiz and Cartagena in engines and other systems.
SCOMBA, SPY-7 radar and integrated mast –
The SCOMBA combat system, developed by Navantia Sistemas, will process information from sensors, radars, and weapons. The platform will also incorporate the Integrated Platform Control System and an integrated mast that will optimize the use of the electromagnetic spectrum and reduce the radar signature.
Among the equipment in the program is the Lockheed Martin AN/SPY-7(V)2 radar, a solid-state S-band radar selected for the new Spanish frigates. The F-110's primary sensor is notable for its digital, software-defined architecture and its ability to track and discriminate between multiple targets.
The digital twin is a virtual replica of the ship developed by Navantia in collaboration with the Navy and the Directorate General of Armament and Material. It will receive information from sensors and employ technologies such as the Internet of Things, cloud services, and machine learning to support operation and maintenance. This tool will be complemented by the Integrated Services System, developed in conjunction with the Navy and the University of Vigo. The solution uses a network connected to sensors installed in the ship's lighting infrastructure to feed information management onboard.
The frigate design incorporates automation, the integration of unmanned vehicles, and the possibility of adding capabilities without a fundamental redesign of the platform. The company attributes to this architecture a data-driven management system, with applications in safety and crew requirements. During the event, Ricardo Domínguez specifically cited the digital twin, the integrated services system, and the suite of sensors, antennas, and radars as among the most significant technological developments incorporated into the F-110 frigate program.
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