The United States has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Spain covering the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of the Spanish Navy’s Álvaro de Bazán class (F-100 class) frigates, with an estimated value of $1.7 billion. The decision follows a formal determination by the US State Department, with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) having delivered the required certification to notify the US Congress.
According to the notification, Spain has requested five shipsets of the AEGIS Weapon System, six shipsets of digital signal processors, five shipsets of the MK 41 Baseline VIII Vertical Launching System, and five shipsets of next-generation surface search radar. The package also includes a broad range of non-major defence equipment aimed at enhancing the ships’ combat capability, survivability and interoperability with allied naval forces.
Among the additional items are ultra-high-frequency satellite communications radio terminal systems, GPS Miniature Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver Engines with M-Code, AN/SRQ-4 Ku-band hardware, and materials required to upgrade the NIXIE SLQ-25A to the more advanced SLQ-25E torpedo countermeasure system. The request further covers MK 331 torpedo setting panels, MK 32 surface vessel torpedo tube upgrades, and US government support for the MK 45 Mod 2 and Mod 2B naval gun weapon systems.
Beyond hardware, the proposed sale includes extensive modernisation, integration and test support, as well as munitions support equipment, spare parts, consumables, repair and return services, classified and unclassified software, technical documentation, and training for personnel. Contractor logistics support and US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics services are also part of the package.
If approved by Congress, the programme would significantly extend the operational life of Spain’s F-100 frigates while ensuring continued compatibility with US and NATO naval forces, particularly in air and missile defence missions built around the AEGIS combat system.
Author: Özgür Ekşi
