GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily
Head-to-head

Álvaro de Bazán vs Independence

Change comparison vs
Specifications
Álvaro de Bazán Independence
Origin 🇪🇸 Spain 🇺🇸 United States
Category Frigate Frigate
Type Guided-missile frigate Littoral combat ship
Manufacturer NAVANTIA Austal USA
Year introduced 2002 2010
Number built 5 units 19 units
Estimated unit price $1,100 million $360 million
Displacement 6,494 tons 3,104 tons
Maximum speed 28.0 knots 44.0 knots
Range 4,500 nm at 16 knots 4,300 nm at 18 knots
Length 146.7 m 127.0 m
Beam 18.6 m 32.0 m
Crew 201 40
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Álvaro de Bazán Independence
Armament
  • 1 × 5 in (127.0 mm)/54 Mk45 Mod 2 gun
  • 1 × Mark 41 (VLS) (48-cell)
  • 32 × Standard SM-2MR Block IIIA
  • 64 × RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile
  • 8 × RGM-84 Harpoon
  • 2 × twin 12.75 in (323.8 mm) Mark 32 Mod 9 torpedo tubes
  • 12 × Honeywell Mark 46 Mod 5 torpedoes
  • 2 × 20 mm autocannon (F101-104)
  • 2 × 25 mm autocannon (F105)
  • 4 × 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns
  • 1 × BAE Systems Mk 110 57 mm gun
  • 1 × Raytheon SeaRAM CIWS
  • 4 × .50-cal guns (2 aft, 2 forward)
  • 2 × 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II guns
  • 8 × RGM-184A Naval Strike Missiles
  • 24 × AGM-114L Hellfire missiles
Propulsion CODOG: 2 × General Electric LM2500 gas turbines (46,650 hp), 2 × Caterpillar 3600 diesel engines (12,000 hp) CODOG system: 2 × General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, 2 × MTU Friedrichshafen 20V 8000 Series diesel engines, 4 × diesel generators

Overview

The Álvaro de Bazán and the Independence are both Frigate classes.

The Álvaro de Bazán displaces 6,494 tons — 2.1x the Independence's 3,104 tons. The Álvaro de Bazán reaches 28 knots vs 44 knots for the Independence. Operational range is 4,500 nautical miles for the Álvaro de Bazán vs 4,300 for the Independence. The Álvaro de Bazán carries a crew of 201 vs 40 for the Independence.

The Álvaro de Bazán was produced in 5 units vs 19 for the Independence. Cost per hull is $1,100M for the Álvaro de Bazán vs $360M for the Independence. The Álvaro de Bazán was commissioned in 2002, 8 years before the Independence (2010).

Related Comparisons
Álvaro de Bazán vs Fridtjof Nansen Independence vs Freedom Álvaro de Bazán vs Type 054A Álvaro de Bazán vs Meko 200 Álvaro de Bazán vs FREMM frigate Álvaro de Bazán vs La Fayette

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Álvaro de Bazán-class or Independence-class?
The Álvaro de Bazán-class has greater displacement at 6,494 tons compared to the Independence-class's 3,104 tons.
Which is faster, the Álvaro de Bazán-class or Independence-class?
The Independence-class is faster with a maximum speed of 44 knots compared to the Álvaro de Bazán-class's 28 knots.
Which has longer range, the Álvaro de Bazán-class or Independence-class?
The Álvaro de Bazán-class has a longer range at 4,500 nautical miles compared to the Independence-class's 4,300 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Álvaro de Bazán-class or Independence-class?
The Álvaro de Bazán-class is longer at 146.7 meters compared to the Independence-class's 127.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Álvaro de Bazán-class and Independence-class have?
The Álvaro de Bazán-class has a larger crew complement of 201 compared to the Independence-class's 40 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Álvaro de Bazán-class or Independence-class?
The Álvaro de Bazán-class is more expensive at approximately $1.1 billion per unit compared to the Independence-class at $360 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Álvaro de Bazán-class or Independence-class?
The Independence-class has been built in greater numbers with 19 vessels compared to 5 vessels of the Álvaro de Bazán-class.