Alvaro de Bazan History - 1970s - 559 Frigate
Together with the development of the "Descubierta," the experience that was acquired with the building of the complex American "FFG" class ships (3,600 tons), considered as one of the most modern frigates in the world and of which Bazan is building three at its El Ferrol yards, has enabled the Spanish projects to reach their peak.
The most ambitious Spanish frigate project was initially known as the "444" and later as the "559". Developed by the El Ferrol shipyards, it could replace the FFG's even though the latter were chosen since the Spanish frigate still needed 2 more years for its complete development. Presented to the Spanish Navy in 1978, the 559 proved to be highly interested because this was a high-quality vessel and especially it involved Spain's ability to build its own ship.
Unofficially, it was thought that this frigate will be included in Spain's naval program as a ship to protect sea traffic following its proximate presentation, totally planned already, at the navy's general headquarters. The project has been updated thanks to British data collected following the war in the Falkland Islands in terms of fire-resistant materials or increased speed. It was hoped that classified NATO information to which Spain can have access will improve the prototype even further.
The "559" frigate design had a displacement of 3,500 tons, was 125 meters long, 13.5 meters wide at the beam, built of steel, and driven by two Bazan-MTU-20 engines that can generate a speed of over 30 knots. At 20 knots an hour the ship has a range of 4,000 miles. Complex equipment would give the ship extensive capabilities in electronic warfare. The ship carries navigational radar, surface radar, antiaircraft radar, firing guidance equipment, countermeasure equipment, and a TACTAS submarine detection system.
With a complement of 219 officers and men the "559" carried a complete range of weaponry consisting of an OTO-Melara 127/54 cannon, a Meroka system—the magnificent multibarrel gun made in Spain for low-level antimissile and antiaircraft defense, considered exceptionally effective and inexpensive—Albatross antiaircraft missile-launchers, Harpoon antiship missile-launchers, antisubmarine missile-launchers, and chaff launchers (these are small metal particles which "decoy" a missile attacking a vessel and divert it). The frigate would also carry two helicopters, the British Lynx being considered since it is more economical than other options.
Perhaps a good initial opportunity for this frigate would be the interest evidenced by Portugal which, as a NATO member-state, needs more powerful and modern ships. By 1983 Portugal had corvettes built by Bazan in the 1960's, principally intended for Lisbon's needs in Angola and Mozambique but which no longer meet the requirements of the Portuguese Navy (unquestionably, these craft were the prototype of the "Descubierta"-class corvette). Portugal wished to sell these vessels and Bazan could be involved in this operation by assuming responsibility for finding a buyer and by renovating the ships at Cartagena (thereby creating work for Spanish shipyards).
As for the three new frigates, each member of NATO would donate to Portugal some component of a ship, such as the Dutch radar equipment for firing guidance or the British Lynx helicopter. The construction of the Spanish frigate incorporating these systems would represent a worthy launching of the new vessel that could ultimately include those systems that Spain does not produce.
The sale of the old corvettes would be accompanied by the "entry" of the new units, encouraged by Spain's sister-nation, considering that Spanish-Portuguese naval relations are excellent. Since even wider cooperation is of great interest to the two sides, it is believed that the Portuguese Alfeite shipyards could have a new lease on life with the construction there shortly of Spanish coastguard boats of the Halcyon class.
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