Afterwards, the frigate has participated in joint naval exercises together with 3 units of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, frigates Riyadh and Dammam and logistic ship Boridah.
The ships have performed communication exercises, as well as tactical operations with helicopters. The target of this exercise is to test the interoperability between both Navies, which have resulted in a complete success.
The F-104 frigate “Méndez Núñez” is the fourth of a series of 5 frigates built by Navantia for the Spanish Navy.
In service since 2006, this frigate, equipped with the AEGIS system, is one of the most technologically advanced ships in the world. The AEGIS system provides a great combat capacity, integrating weapons and sensors.
Main characteristics:
- Length overall ………………… 147 m
- Maximum beam ………………. 18.7 m
- Full load displacement ………… 6,000 tons (future growth margin 450 tons)
- Maximum speed: + 28 kt
- Cruising speed: 18 kt
- Accommodation ………………… 234 persons
- Usual ship’s crew ……………… 197 persons.
- Range at cruising speed: 4,500 nm
- Provisions endurance: 30 days
- CODOG type propulsion
This project meant a real challenge as the most powerful worldwide Combat System (Aegis) was installed into the smallest platform (6,000 tons) maintaining the same combat capabilities that other platforms such as the US Navy destroyers and cruisers and Japanese Navy destroyers, whose displacement is larger than 9,000 tons.
