As part of the Ministry of Defense’s commitment to modernizing and improving the capabilities of the Army and Navy, the Order for the Execution of the new Combat Supply Ship was signed today. This vessel will provide essential operational logistical support so that the Naval Force can effectively fulfill its assigned missions and perform all its specific functions, with a particular emphasis on naval presence and control of maritime space.
The Navy will have two units of this type, estimated for 2030, as a means of maintaining operational logistical support for the Naval Force, in addition to a fleet tanker.
The BAC’s design includes a length of almost 174 meters, a beam of 23 meters, and a full-load displacement of approximately 20,000 tons. It will be built at the Navantia Ferrol shipyard and will be based on the design of the A-15 “Cantabria” (2010), currently in service with the Navy, and its subsequent upgrade corresponding to the two AAOR-class vessels delivered to the Australian Navy (2020 and 2021, respectively). It will involve 3 million hours of work over four years, providing direct and indirect employment to 1,800 people. It will also involve significant participation of Spanish industry, with more than 300 companies based in the country.
The ship will be able to store and transport fuel for other ships and aircraft, water and supplies, as well as ammunition and spare parts. It will also be able to provide medical support and support for special operations, and even transport materials for storage in deck containers. Finally, in certain situations, it could act as an operations command ship if necessary.
The new vessel will replace the A-14 “Patiño” logistics vessel, delivered to the Navy in 1995 and still in service. Its new capabilities include environmentally friendly propulsion and the inclusion of a point defense system, C-UAS (anti-drone) defense, and the capacity to deploy and maintain UXVs (aerial, surface, and underwater drones).