Spain Begins Building Two Meteoro-Class Patrol Ships to Enhance Naval Security

Spain has officially commenced construction of two additional Meteoro-class offshore patrol vessels (Buque de Acción Marítima – BAM), reinforcing its commitment to modernizing the Spanish Navy’s surface fleet. The move comes amid growing maritime security demands in the Mediterranean and Atlantic theaters and reflects broader European interest in modular naval platforms for multi-role missions.

New BAM Order Expands Proven Patrol Ship Line

The Spanish Ministry of Defence (MoD) approved funding for two new Meteoro-class ships in 2023 under a €550 million program aimed at enhancing Spain’s maritime presence and operational flexibility. These vessels—designated BAM V and BAM VI—will be constructed by Navantia at its San Fernando shipyard in Cádiz. Steel cutting is expected to begin in late 2025 with delivery targeted for 2028–2029.

The Meteoro class is a modular offshore patrol vessel (OPV) platform designed for low- to medium-intensity missions including surveillance, counter-piracy, environmental protection, anti-smuggling operations, and humanitarian assistance. The class was first introduced into service in 2011 with four units currently active: Meteoro (P-41), Rayo (P-42), Relámpago (P-43), and Tornado (P-44).

Platform Capabilities and Modular Design Philosophy

The BAM design emphasizes versatility through modular mission spaces and reduced crew requirements via automation. Key specifications include:

Displacement: ~2,500 tonnes full load
Length: ~93 meters
Crew: ~35 core personnel plus mission specialists
Range: Over 8,000 nautical miles at cruising speed (~15 knots)
Endurance: Up to 35 days without resupply

The ships are powered by a combined diesel-electric propulsion system enabling speeds up to 20 knots. They feature a flight deck capable of operating medium helicopters such as the SH-60B Seahawk or NH90 NFH but lack a hangar—though containerized mission modules can be embarked aft.

Sensors include navigation radar, EO/IR systems, hull-mounted sonar for limited ASW roles, and an integrated combat management system developed by Navantia Sistemas. Armament is light but sufficient for constabulary tasks—typically one Oto Melara 76 mm gun forward and several machine guns or remote weapon stations.

Evolving Roles Amid Regional Maritime Tensions

The decision to expand the BAM fleet aligns with Spain’s strategic need to project presence across its vast Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), particularly around the Canary Islands and North African enclaves (Ceuta/Melilla). The new ships will also support NATO taskings such as Operation Sea Guardian or EU-led missions like EUNAVFOR MED Irini.

The modularity of the BAM design allows rapid reconfiguration for missions ranging from fisheries inspection to limited anti-submarine warfare or mine countermeasures when equipped appropriately. This flexibility is increasingly valued among NATO navies facing hybrid threats below the threshold of open conflict.

BAM Program History and Industrial Impact

The original four Meteoro-class ships were delivered between 2010 and 2012 under Phase I of the BAM program. A second phase envisioned up to five more units but was delayed due to budget constraints following Spain’s financial crisis.

This latest order marks a revival of Phase II after more than a decade hiatus. It ensures continuity for Navantia’s production lines while supporting over 1,100 direct jobs across Cádiz-area facilities over five years. The program also sustains key Spanish defense subcontractors specializing in naval electronics, propulsion integration, systems integration (Navantia Sistemas), and steel fabrication.

The Spanish MoD has indicated that future variants may include specialized versions such as hydrographic survey platforms or MCM-capable derivatives using unmanned systems—though these remain unfunded concepts as of mid-2024.

Meteoro-Class in Context with European OPV Trends

The renewed investment in OPVs reflects broader European trends toward high-endurance platforms optimized for grey-zone operations rather than peer conflict alone. Italy’s PPA class or France’s Patrouilleurs d’Outre-Mer share similar design philosophies emphasizing range, autonomy, and modularity over heavy armament.

With rising concerns over illegal migration flows via the Mediterranean Sea routes—as well as increased Russian naval activity near Gibraltar—the need for persistent maritime domain awareness is driving demand for cost-effective platforms like the BAM series that can operate independently or plug into multinational C4ISR networks when required.

Outlook: Strategic Utility Beyond Peacetime Patrols

While not intended for frontline combat against peer adversaries, the new Meteoro-class ships offer valuable utility across peacetime constabulary roles and crisis response scenarios. Their ability to embark UAVs or UUVs further expands ISR capabilities without requiring major warship assets.

If delivered on schedule by late this decade, these two new vessels will extend the operational relevance of Spain’s surface fleet while reinforcing commitments under NATO’s southern flank posture. Future iterations may see enhanced C4ISR suites or hybrid propulsion upgrades aligned with EU emissions goals—a likely direction given ongoing R&D investments by Navantia into digital ship architectures under its Smart Ship initiative.