Frigate Reina Sofia (F-84)

The Commander of frigate ‘Reina Sofía’ welcomes you and invites you to visit this website. The ship has been in service for more than 30 years. We are proud of the history and efforts of previous crews. The F-84 has been updated and upgraded to increase her operational capabilities adapting them to the current strategic scenarios.

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 ‘Reina Sofía’ (F-84) is the fourth of the series and built by Bazan in Ferrol. Following the tradition of naming Spanish Navy ships with those of members of the Royal Family, this frigate is named after Her Majesty Queen Sofía.

The ship was launched in July 1987 and delivered to the Navy on October 30th 1990 integrating into the 41st Escort Squadron, originally known as ALFA Combat Group.

The F-84 has sailed more than 483,000 miles, the equivalent of 30 voyages around the world. One of the longest voyages was the transit from Port Victoria (Seychelles) to Djibouti (23 days).

The exact complement of the ‘Reina Sofia’ depends on the mission entrusted. It normally amounts to 197 people. In addition to her CO and XO, the crew is made up of 15 officers, 30 NCOs and 150 seamen and ratings.

The F-84 can also 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.

The “Reina Sofía” has taken part in numerous national, NATO and EUROMARFOR naval exercises and operations: ‘Tapón’, ‘Linked Seas’, ‘Destined Glory’, ‘Active Endeavour’, ‘Sierra-Juliet’, ‘Unitas’, ‘Mare Aperto’, ‘Loyal Midas’, ‘Galiber’ and ‘Atalanta’, among others.

The following are some of her most noteworthy participations: