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Descubierta

The flagship of the Descubierta class, the Descubierta, was retired from service in 2009. Descubierta's sisters (Diana, Infanta Elena, Infanta Cristina, Cazadora and Vencedora) remain in active service (Diana now serves as a large mine countermeasures command ship; the other Descubiertas serve as patrol vessels).

Built as the third "Descubierta" class Corvette by the Empresa Nacional Bazán in Cartagena, Patrullero Infanta Elena (P-76) was delivered to the Navy on 12 April 1980. H.R.H. the Infanta Doña Elena gave here banner of combat in Alicante on June 10, 1983. Between September 2004 and June 2005 performed works of transformation. It has its base in Cartagena. Corvette participated in various national and NATO exercises, and has on numerous occasions made guard cruises. It has formed part of the multinational force's interception in the Red Sea during the naval blockade imposed by the United Nations against Iraq in 1991 and has participated in operation "Romeo Sierra" during the Islote Perejil [Parsley Islet] crisis.

Spanish marines from the Descubierta-class corvette SPS Infanta Elena (P 76) depart U.S. Navy Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1660 in the Mediterranean Sea during a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) drill as part of Exercise Phoenix Express 2010 May 21. PE-10 aims to improve maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea through increased interoperability and cooperation among regional partners from Africa, Europe and the United States.

Built as the fourth "Descubierta" class Corvette by the Empresa Nacional Bazán in Cartagena, "Infanta Cristina" (P-77) was delivered to the Navy on November 24, 1980, being hoisted the national flag on board first by H.R.H. the Infanta Doña Cristina. Between September 2004 and June 2005 performs the transformation to patrol (P-77). It has its base in Cartagena. As Corvette the ship participated in various national and NATO exercises, he has made on several occasions made marine guard cruises and it has formed part of the multinational force's interception in the Red Sea during the naval blockade imposed by the United Nations.

The patrol vessel "P-78 Cazadora", second ship of the class "Infanta Elena", was built by the Empresa Nacional Bazán (now Navantia) in Ferrol. She was launched on 18 October 1978 and delivered to the Navy on 20 July of 1981. It was born as Corvette "F-35 Cazadora" belonging to the "Descubierta" class based in Cartagena, until in 2004 after a major modification became the current "P-78 Cazadora". Among operations in which Cazadora participated should be noted the rescue operation for the victims of the floods in Alicante in October 1982 and the embargo against Iraq in the Red Sea, decreed by the UN in 1991. It was in the latter where he gained the nickname of "the Atomic Ant", due to his incessant activity, its armament and its peculiar silhouette. In 1992 she was integrated in the STANAVFORTLANT grouping and in 1994 became the first ship of the Navy to make the BOST (Basic Operational Sea Training) in the United Kingdom. Cazadora has been School of Midshipmen, the prom of the ENM journey, made annually and has participated regularly in numerous national and international as the Dynamic Mix, Destined Glory or Cap exercises. In September 2004, already as patrol vessel height, Cazadora began its new primary mission of maritime surveillance, continuing their participation in multinational operations such as ACTIVE ENDEVOUR and UNIFIL in waters of the Lebanon in 2008. By the end of 2011 Cazadora participated in the deployment in the Gulf of Guinea carrying out anti-piracy missions.

"Vencedora" (P-79) was built in Ferrol and delivered to the Navy on 27 March 1982, with base of parking in Cartagena. In the year 2004, with the works of transformation, changes its name and brand side of Corvette (F-36) to patrol vessel height (P-79), and its base at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.