Navantia held on Thursday, September 11, the launching ceremony of the frigate F-111 “Bonifaz”, the first unit of the Spanish Navy’s F-110 program.
The symbolic event took place at the Ferrol shipyards and was attended by high-ranking civil and military authorities, as well as thousands of workers and their families.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presence of Her Majesty Queen Sofia, the ship’s sponsor, who broke a bottle against the hull just before the frigate slid down the slipway into the estuary. The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, was also present, alongside the Chief of the Defense Staff, Admiral Teodoro López Calderón, the Chief of the Navy Staff, Admiral Antonio Piñeiro, and Navantia President Ricardo Domínguez.
Around 5,000 people attended the ceremony, including company employees, their families, and partners from collaborating companies. The ship was “christened” with Albariño wine to the sound of the Spanish national anthem performed by the Northern Tercio Music Unit. The vessel also received a blessing from Chaplain Vicente Hernández Chumillas.
A milestone for the Spanish naval industry
Named in honor of Ramón Bonifaz, the first Admiral of Castile, the frigate was launched a month ahead of schedule, with over 70% of construction completed. Before the formal ceremony, the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, signed the formal acceptance of the launch phase.
Construction of the F-111 will continue until final delivery in 2028. Currently, three of the five frigates in the series are under construction in Ferrol, with the F-112 already in an advanced phase following the laying of its keel in April 2025. Parts of F-112 and F-113 are also under assembly at the shipyards.
The F-110 program represents a technological and strategic leap for the Spanish Navy and the country’s naval industry. In addition to strengthening Spain’s strategic autonomy, the project is expected to generate around 9,000 direct and indirect jobs over more than a decade, involving approximately 500 companies.
Technology and capabilities
Approved in 2019, the F-110 frigates are escort ships with anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine capabilities. Designed to operate in coordination with other units, they can also support maritime security missions in collaboration with civil authorities.
Highlights among the technological advancements include:
- Digital twin: a virtual replica of the ship that enables data-driven decisions and optimizes maintenance, developed with support from the Navy and the Directorate General of Armament.
- Integrated Services System (ISS): a neural network of sensors embedded in the ship’s lighting, developed in partnership with the University of Vigo.
- SCOMBA: the combat system acting as the ship’s “brain,” integrating sensors, radars, and weapons in real-time.
- Integrated mast: which consolidates radars and antennas, reducing radar signature and improving use of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Production involves various Navantia industrial centers, including facilities in Bahía de Cádiz and Cartagena, responsible for engines and control systems.
With the F-111 Bonifaz, Spain strengthens its position as a global reference in military shipbuilding and begins a new generation of digital, automated frigates ready to integrate unmanned vehicles.
Source and images: Navantia | Instagram @navantia\_oficial. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
