Frigate Blas de Lezo (F-103)

The Commander of frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ (F-103) welcomes you to this website. This is the 3rd ‘Álvaro de Bazán’-class frigate with home port in Ferrol (NW Spain). The ship is named after one of the most illustrious Spanish sailors of all time. She is considered one of the best and most advanced anti-air escorts, ready to deploy in the most demanding scenarios.

Displacement: 5.853 tons.

Length: 146,7 m.

Beam: 18,6 m

Draft: 7,4m

Max. height: 50 mts

Max. Speed: 28 knots.

Range: 4.500 miles at 18 knots.

Propulsion:

From the point of view of her military capabilities, the F-100 frigates are, undoubtedly, some of the best escorts in the world. There are many multi-purpose frigates, but these ones have been designed highlighting their anti-air and command capabilities.

The AEGIS combat system, along with the SPY 1-D multifunction radar provides an outstanding detection capability, even in difficult scenarios like coastal waters, and has a great firepower to counter any threat.

These frigates can embark a helicopter, usually a LAMPS MK-II, equipped with modern sensors and weapons which can detect and attack surface and underwater targets.

The F-103 is stationed in Ferrol Naval Base.

RADARS:

SONAR: RAYTHEON DE 1160 SONAR

COUNTERMEASURES:

WEAPONS:

MISSILES:

GUNS:

TORPEDOES:4 TUBES (323 mm)

Frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ is the 3rd ‘Álvaro de Bazán’-class frigate and belongs to the 31st Surface Squadron.

She was built by NAVANTIA in Ferrol and delivered to the Spanish Navy in the year 2004. Her battle ensign was presented in Bilbao by Her Royal Highness Ana of France.

The ship is named after Lieutenant General Blas de Lezo y Olavarrieta, hero of the Battle of Cartagena de Indias. He was one of the most illustrious naval officers in the history of 18th century Spain. The F-103 is the fifth vessel with that name.

CURRENT CREW: 149

OFFICERS: 18

NCOs: 28

SEAMEN AND RATINGS: 103

• Flagship of SNMG-2 in 2006.
• Integration into the ‘Charles de Gaulle’ carrier task group during Exercise AGAPANTHE 07 in the Mediterranean and Red Sea in 2007.
• Flagship of SNMG-1 in 2008.
• Participation in Operation ‘Allied Protector’ against piracy off the Somali coast in 2009.
• Integration into the ‘Charles de Gaulle’ carrier task group during Exercise BRILLIANT MARINER 10 in the North Sea in 2010.
• Operational Certification (MECO) in Toulon waters (France in 2011).
• Integration into the ‘Einsenhower’ carrier strike group during the C2X (Composite Training Unit Exercises) manoeuvers in 2012.
• Flagship of SNMG-2 in 2013.
• First Spanish Navy ship to integrate into the New National Command of Air Operations and Defense (MDOA) in 2014.
• Presentation of the Battle Ensign ceremony in Bilbao.
• Integration into the SNMG-2 in 2017.
• Integration into the TG 830.01 as escort to the LHD ‘Juan Carlos I’ during Operation ISPUHEL.
• Integration into the SNMG-2 in 2019.
• Training with the ‘Charles de Gaulle’ carrier strike group in 2019.
• Integration into SNMG-2 in January 2022.
• Participation in exercise ‘Eagle Eye 22-03’.