Spanish frigate Canarias

Canarias
History
Spain
NameCanarias
NamesakeCanarias
BuilderBazan
Laid down15 April 1992
Launched21 June 1993
Commissioned14 December 1994
HomeportRota
Identification
Statusin active service
General characteristics
Class and typeSanta María-class frigate
Displacement3,160 t (3,110 long tons) standard
Length138.8 m (455 ft 5 in)
Beam14.3 m (46 ft 11 in)
Draught6.6 m (21 ft 8 in) max
Propulsion
Speed29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph)
Complement223
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Radar: AN/SPS-49(V)4 2-D air search ((V)5 in F-85 & F-86), RAN-12L (being replaced by RAN-30) 2-D low horizon air search radar for Meroka, SPS-55 surface search radar, Mk 92 fire control system,
  • Sonar: SQS-56, SQR-19(V) Towed Array (-19(V)2 in F-85 & F-86),
  • Fire control: Mk 13 weapons control, Mk 92 and SPG-60 STIR missile control, SQQ-89 ASW
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Nettunel (F-85 & F-86: Mk-3000) intercept, SLQ-25 Nixie, Mk36 SROC decoy launchers
Armament
Aircraft carried2 × Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk LAMPS III helicopters

Canarias (F86), is the last of the six Spanish-built Santa María-class frigates of the Spanish Navy, which are based on the American Oliver Hazard Perry-class design. The Santa María class offer both anti-air and anti-submarine defence for the Spanish Navy. The frigate was laid down by Bazan on 15 April 1992 and launched on 21 June 1993. Upon entering service on 14 December 1994, Canarias was homeported at Rota and assigned to the 41st Escort Squadron. Canarias has been assigned to Operation Atalanta of the Somali coast, combatting piracy and Operation Sophia in the Mediterranean Sea, intercepting illegal trafficking of migrants.