Principe De Asturias-class

The Príncipe de Asturias was a light aircraft carrier and the former flagship of the Spanish Navy. Developed as a replacement for the carrier Dédalo, the vessel’s design was based on the Sea Control Ship concept proposed by the United States Navy in the 1970s. This concept centered on a small through-deck vessel for anti-submarine defense and convoy protection. Spain modified the original design by adding a ski-jump ramp to facilitate STOVL (Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing) operations. Built by the National Company Bazán at the Ferrol shipyard, construction began with the laying of the keel on 8 October 1979. The ship was launched on 22 May 1982 and entered service on 30 May 1988.

The ship features a through-deck configuration with a ski-jump ramp tilted to the port side. The design supports both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, including the AV-8B Harrier II and various models of the Sikorsky Sea King and Agusta-Bell AB-212. Aviation facilities include a hangar accessed by two flight deck lifts. For self-defense, the vessel is equipped with Meroka close-in weapon systems and chaff decoy launchers. Offensive and anti-submarine capabilities are provided by the embarked air wing and accompanying escort vessels. The design of the Príncipe de Asturias served as the basis for the Thai naval vessel HTMS Chakri Naruebet.

Based at Naval Station Rota, the Príncipe de Asturias operated as the core of Alpha Group, which typically included six Santa Maria-class frigates and supporting logistics ships. The vessel participated in international exercises and peace support operations in the Adriatic Sea. Following a period of budgetary constraints, the Spanish government confirmed the ship’s retirement in 2012. The official decommissioning ceremony took place on 6 February 2013, with its aviation roles assumed by the Juan Carlos I. After several navies expressed interest in a potential purchase, the vessel was sold to a Turkish company for scrapping. The ship departed for the port of Aliağa in August 2017 to be dismantled.