Frigate Santa Maria (F-81)

The Commander of frigate ‘Santa María’ welcomes you and invites you to visit this website.

The F-81 is the first frigate of a series of six units built in Ferrol (NW Spain). They make up the 41st Escort Squadron stationed in Rota Naval Base.

The ship has been serving Spain since 1984 and, despite her seniority, she continues performing with success and efficiency. The F-81 has participated in many national and international missions sailing the equivalent of 30 voyages around the world.

Displacement: 3.900 tons.

Length: 138 m.

Beam: 14,3 m.

Draft: 7,5 m.

Max Speed: 29 nudos.

Range: 5300 miles at 12 knots.

Propulsion: 2 LM-2500 gas turbines (40,000 hp); 1 propeller.

Aircraft: Up to 2 SH-60Bs with ‘Penguin’ missiles, torpedoes or, alternatively, a ‘Scan Eagle’ UAS.

The excellent versatility of this type of frigates, allows them to operate in a wide variety of missions which can be grouped in two main categories:

• Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO): Shipping control in a given area to enforce certain restrictions implemented by international organizations. These operations involve identification, challenging, boarding, inspection and – if necessary – the arrest of suspicious ships. As of the year 2001 the units from the 41st Escort Squadron regularly integrate into operation ‘Enduring Freedom’ showing their capabilities for this type of missions within the framework of international collaboration agreements against terrorism.
• Protection of Valuable Units: This is the original task of this type of frigates. Frigates, destroyers and corvettes are commonly referred to as ‘escorts’ since their main assignment is to provide protection to other units. However, many changes have taken place in the maritime domain since these warships were built. The main task of the ‘Santa María’-class frigates was originally the escort of task groups and merchant convoys in blue waters, where the major threat was the submarine, but also air and surface threats. Nowadays, the scenario of naval operations has moved to the littoral where our frigates have successfully escorted Force Projection Groups (aircraft-carriers and amphibious ships) and protected merchant shipping in focal points like the Strait of Gibraltar and the Red Sea. This mission is especially important to safeguard the sea lines of communication against the threat of international terrorism.

The six F-80 frigates are stationed at Rota Naval Base in the Bay of Cádiz (SW Spain).

Weapons:

• MK-13 Missile launcher for ‘Standard’ (A/A A/S) and ‘Harpoon’ (A/S) missiles.
• OTO MELARA 76/62 mm
• 2 triple torpedo launching tubes for MK-46 Mod.2/5 torpedoes.
• 2 remote controlled ‘Sentinel’ (12.7 mm).

Sensors:

• Air radar: AN/SPS-49 (V4)
• Surface radar: AN/SPS-55
• Fire control: MK-92 Mod.2
• Hull-mounted sonar: AN/SQS-56
• Electronic warfare: ‘Rigel’

Frigate ‘Santa María’ s the first unit of the series. She was built by Navantia (former Bazán) based on the U.S. design of the ‘Oliver Hazard Perry’ frigates but equipped with indigenous systems to meet Spanish Navy requirements.

Its name comes from the vessel ‘Santa María’ which took Christopher Columbus to the New World, discovered on October 12th 1492, accompanied by two caravels (‘Pinta’ and ‘Niña’).

At first, the ship’s name was ‘La Gallega’ and belonged to Juan de la Cosa. Columbus embarked as leader of the expedition, but the ship ran aground in the northern coast of what is today the Dominican Republic on December 25th.

The local chief, Guacanagarí and his people helped the Spaniards to found Fort Navidad. In January 1493 Columbus returned to Spain and left 39 men under the protection of Guacanagarí, but the fort was destroyed by the other native chief, Caonabó.

Other Spanish Navy ships had the same name:

• A flyboat built in Santander in 1590.
• A 34-gun frigate built in Ferrol in 1785 that sank in the Philippines in 1797.
• A 4-gun hulk built in La Carraca in 1850 and used as transport ship and training ship for midshipmen.

The exact complement of the ‘Santa María’ depends on the mission entrusted. It normally amounts to 216 people. In addition to her CO and XO, the crew is made up of 15 officers, 30 NCOs and 169 seamen and ratings.

The F-81 can embark an air unit with capability to operate either 2 helicopters, or a helicopter and an unmanned air vehicle, as well as a Marine Corps Special Operations’ security squad.

Gulf War (1990):

She took part in Operation ‘Desert Shield’ to implement UN sanctions in the Persian Gulf along with two corvettes: ‘Cazadora’ and ‘Descubierta’.

Operation Sharp Guard (1994):

Spain participated with two frigates in the WEU Naval Group and NATO’s Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED). Her mission consisted in inspection and boarding of ships headed for former Yugoslavia.

Liberation of Kosovo (1999):

The Kosovo mission (under UN Resolution 1244) intended to stabilize the area, safeguard human rights and implement the Rambouillet Agreement.

Active Endeavour (2001, 2012 and 2015)

A NATO operation consisting of an air-naval deployment in Eastern Mediterranean in order to protect merchant shipping in the area and in transit through the Suez Canal. This operation was set up after the 9/11 terrorist attack in the U.S.

Enduring Freedom (2002)

Operation ‘Enduring Freedom’ takes place in Afghanistan and the Indian Ocean. It is sponsored by many UN resolutions and is carried out by an international coalition led by the United States aimed at eliminating terrorism.

Operation Atalanta (2011, 2016, 2020 and 2023)

The frigate participated in this operation organized by the European Union to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia to protect vulnerable shipping in the area, strengthen maritime security, protect fishing activities and fight terrorism.

Operation Sophia (2017-2018)

A EU mission organized to protect the lives of migrants at sea and fight illegal migrations in the Mediterranean.