Navantia Launches F112 Roger de Lauria, Second of Five F110 Frigates for Spanish Navy

Navantia launched the F112 frigate Roger de Lauria at its Ferrol shipyard in Galicia on October 27, 2026, the second of five F110-class vessels for the Spanish Navy. EuropaWire reported the launch took place four months ahead of the delivery schedule agreed with the Ministry of Defence, with delivery planned for 2029.

How The F112 Launch Unfolded In Ferrol

The frigate entered the water for the first time at high tide during a ceremony on October 27, 2026, built on Slipway 3. Attendees included Secretary of State for Defence María Amparo Valcarce, SEPI Chair Belén Gualda, Ferrol Mayor José Manuel Rey, Spanish Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Antonio Piñeiro and Navantia Chairman Ricardo Domínguez. Military chaplain Vicente Hernández Chumillas blessed the vessel before it slid into the sea, accompanied by the Spanish national anthem performed by the Northern Marine Regiment Band. Almudena de Arteaga, a descendant of the admiral Roger de Lauria, is the ship's sponsor.

Work on F112 will continue alongside the shipyard quay, with delivery planned for 2029. Five blocks of F113 are already on the slipway in Ferrol, and initial work on F114 is taking place at the new Digital Block Factory. The first frigate, F111, is undergoing systems installation and start-up and is scheduled to start sea trials in 2027.

The F110 frigates are designed to respond to aerial, surface and submarine threats, work with other naval units and assist civilian authorities on maritime-security missions. The vessels incorporate a digital twin, the Integrated Services System, the SCOMBA combat system and an integrated mast. Spanish suppliers account for 65% of the programme's content, and the programme is expected to generate around 9,000 jobs over more than ten years involving approximately 500 companies throughout Spain.

Piñeiro said: "The frigate 'Roger de Lauria', like its predecessor 'Bonifaz', faithfully reflects Spain's commitment to innovation and technological sovereignty. Each vessel in this series creates highly skilled jobs, promotes R&D&I and strengthens the Spanish naval industry's international leadership."

Domínguez said the programme, "with technological developments such as the digital twin, the Integrated Services System and the suite of latest-generation sensors, antennas and radars, is a symbol of Spanish innovation. We are convinced that it will become an international success, just as the F100 frigates did in their day."

Navantia's Recent Naval Programmes

On October 26, 2026, Navantia launched the seventh corvette built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces at its San Fernando shipyard, to be named Neom, with the final ship scheduled for delivery in 2029, according to EuropaWire. On October 22, 2026, Navantia and Multiverse Computing signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on AI and quantum-inspired solutions for naval defence, EuropaWire reported. On October 15, 2026, Navantia signed a contract with Angola's Simportex to repair and modernize two Mandume-class patrol boats, Golfinho and Atlántico, at its San Fernando shipyard, Eleconomista reported.

F111 Sea Trials Set For 2027

The first frigate, F111, is scheduled to begin sea trials in 2027, while F112 is planned for delivery in 2029. Further information on the F110 programme is available through Navantia's F-110 programme news.