The Spanish Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with state-owned shipbuilder Navantia for the construction of two new Buque de Acción Marítima (BAM) offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). Valued at approximately €550 million, the program aims to strengthen Spain’s maritime security capabilities and sustain industrial activity at Navantia’s shipyards through 2028.
Contract Details and Strategic Objectives
The contract was formally signed on September 25, 2025, between Spain’s Directorate-General for Armament and Material (DGAM) and Navantia. The deal covers the design, construction, logistics support, and life-cycle maintenance of two additional BAM-class OPVs. Delivery is expected within a 48-month timeline—by late 2028.
The program builds on the success of the previous four BAM units commissioned between 2010 and 2012 (Meteoro-class), and one specialized hydrographic variant delivered in 2019. These new ships will represent the sixth and seventh hulls in the class. The acquisition aligns with Spain’s Defense Industrial Strategy by reinforcing sovereign shipbuilding capacity while addressing evolving maritime threats such as illegal trafficking, environmental protection missions, humanitarian assistance, and low-intensity conflict scenarios.
BAM Design Evolution: Modular Multi-Mission Capability
The BAM design is based on modularity and flexibility to support a wide range of missions short of high-intensity warfare. Developed by Navantia in collaboration with the Spanish Navy, it features a displacement of approximately 2,900 tonnes, an overall length of around 93 meters, and a beam of 14 meters. Top speed is estimated at over 20 knots with an endurance exceeding 35 days at sea.
Key features include:
- Flight deck capable of operating medium-size helicopters such as the SH-60 Seahawk or NH90 NFH
- Space for modular mission containers (e.g., diving support equipment or unmanned systems)
- Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) for reduced crew requirements (~46 core personnel)
- Diesel-electric propulsion system optimized for fuel efficiency
- Armament typically includes one Oto Melara 76 mm gun and light machine guns; optional remote weapon stations
The new batch is expected to incorporate incremental improvements in sensors, communications systems (likely Link-22 compatibility), cybersecurity hardening measures under STANAG guidance, and enhanced interoperability with NATO partners.
Industrial Impact on Navantia Shipyards
The construction will be carried out at Navantia’s San Fernando shipyard in Cádiz province—one of Spain’s key naval production hubs. According to official estimates from Spain’s Ministry of Industry and Tourism cited during the announcement ceremony in Ferrol (Galicia), this program will generate more than one million man-hours across Navantia facilities over four years.
The project is expected to directly employ over 1,100 workers annually across Cádiz-area yards and indirectly benefit more than 100 subcontractors nationwide. It also supports continuity between major programs such as the F110 frigate build-out underway since July 2023.
Operational Role within Spanish Naval Doctrine
BAM vessels serve as versatile platforms bridging traditional OPV roles with auxiliary naval tasks. Their operational profile includes counter-narcotics patrols near West Africa (Operation Atalanta), fisheries enforcement in national waters under EU mandates, search-and-rescue coordination via MRCCs (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers), anti-piracy deployments near Horn of Africa zones under NATO/EU auspices, as well as disaster relief operations following natural catastrophes.
This dual-use capability—military presence combined with civil support—makes them valuable assets under Spain’s “comprehensive security” doctrine. The new units are likely to be fitted with upgraded ISR suites including EO/IR turrets and surface surveillance radars compliant with NATO STANAG standards for data sharing via C4I networks.
Future Outlook: Digitalization and Unmanned Integration
While not explicitly confirmed in this contract phase, defense analysts anticipate that future iterations or mid-life upgrades may incorporate unmanned vehicle launch-and-recovery capabilities—particularly USVs or UAVs—to extend situational awareness during EEZ patrols or mine countermeasure tasks.
This aligns with broader trends across European navies integrating autonomous systems into patrol vessels—such as France’s Patrouilleur Océanique or Italy’s PPA-class variants. Digital twin modeling for predictive maintenance may also be introduced via Navantia’s Shipyard 4.0 initiative using AI-enhanced diagnostics platforms developed under its INDESIA consortium partnership.
