The ceremony, held at the Ferrol shipyard on July 20, 2026, was led by Admiral Aniceto Rosique, Director General of Armament and Material, and Ricardo Domínguez, Chairman of Navantia. The event was attended by Admiral Antonio Piñeiro, Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy, along with senior representatives from the Spanish Ministry of Defense.
Navantia officials stated that the early keel-laying on Slipway No. 2—marking the transition to the block assembly phase—reflects strong operational momentum and close collaboration with the Ministry of Defense.
Lead Ship Launched as Testing Phase Begins
To make room on Slipway No. 2 for the F113, the lead ship of the class, Bonifaz (F111), was moved to Berth No. 10. Bonifaz is currently undergoing primary systems installation and outfitting; key upcoming milestones include powering up its Integrated Platform Management System and completing the installation of the Lockheed Martin SPY-7 radar. Delivery of the first frigate to the Spanish Navy remains scheduled for 2028.
Meanwhile, assembly of the bow section for the second ship, Roger de Lauria (F112), has been completed on Slipway No. 3 as it prepares for launch following the end of summer. Initial construction work on the fourth vessel in the series, Luis de Córdova (F114), is also underway simultaneously.
Digital Block Factory Transforms Production
A major catalyst behind the program's accelerated timeline is Navantia's new Digital Block Factory at Ferrol, which is expected to reach full operational capacity in the coming weeks. According to Navantia, the facility—a first of its kind for military shipbuilding in Europe—enhances parallel production capabilities and significantly reduces delivery lead times.
Strategic Autonomy and Multi-Mission Capabilities
Designed as multi-purpose escort vessels, the F110-class frigates feature advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-air, and anti-surface capabilities, tailored to address hybrid warfare and complex asymmetric threats.
Navantia executives highlighted that the F110 program not only strengthens the Spanish Navy's operational capabilities but also reinforces Spain's strategic autonomy in defense manufacturing, positioning the platform as a strong contender in the international export market.