Spanish aircraft carrier Príncipe de Asturias

Príncipe de Asturias, originally named Almirante Carrero Blanco, was a light aircraft carrier and former flagship of the Spanish Navy. She was built in Bazán's Shipyards and delivered to the Spanish Navy on 30 May 1988.

Spain has operated aircraft carriers since the 1920s, initially with the seaplane tender SPANISH SEAPLANE CARRIER Dédalo and later the multi-role light carrier  SPANISH AIRCRAFT CARRIER Dédalo, which was formerly the US Navy's World War II light carrier USS Cabot. Dédalo was replaced as the navy's fleet flagship by Príncipe de Asturias.

The ship was permanently assigned to the Alpha Group, comprising the carrier and six Santa Maria-class frigates (a Spanish version of the USN Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate). Other vessels such as logistic ships, tankers and corvettes were frequently assigned to the Group when required. Príncipe de Asturias and the Alpha Group frequently participated in peace support operations in the Adriatic Sea.

The ship was retired due to defence cuts, being officially decommissioned on 6 February 2013.

Several countries had reportedly expressed interest in buying Príncipe de Asturias before it was dismantled. Indonesia reportedly showed interest, but then decided not to buy. Unconfirmed sources also indicate the Philippines, several Arab countries, and Angola had expressed interest in purchasing the Principe de Asturias. In September 2017 it was announced that the Príncipe de Asturias was bought by a Turkish company planning to scrap the vessel.

Design


The design of Principe de Asturias was based on that of the US Navy's 1970s Sea Control Ship concept. This was a proposal for a small through deck vessel, capable of operating helicopters and a small number of STOVL fixed-wing aircraft, to provide anti-submarine defence for convoys in the event of war with the Soviet Union. While the concept never got off the drawing board for the United States, Spain took an interest in it in the early 1980s when seeking a replacement for its veteran carrier, Dédalo. The design underwent a number of modifications, most prominently being fitted with a ski-jump ramp, allowing its fixed-wing aircraft to launch with improved loads, as well as other modifications to fit Spanish specifications. Constructed by the National Company Bazan (then Empresa Nacional Bazán, now Navantia) in their shipyard at Ferrol, Príncipe de Asturias was delivered to the Navy on 30 May 1988. The construction process had begun eleven years previously, on 29 May 1977. The processing of the steel began on 1 March 1978 and the keel was laid on 8 October 1979. On 22 May 1982, in a ceremony presided over by Juan Carlos I of Spain, the launch took place, with Queen Sofía of Spain as the ship's sponsor. The ship made her first sea trials in November 1987.

The Thai warship HTMS Chakri Naruebet, delivered in 1997, is based on the Spanish ship's design.

Armament


The self-defense armament includes four close defense Meroka systems and six chaff decoy launchers. For offensive weapons, the ship relies on the capabilities of her embarked aircraft. For anti-submarine defense, she relies upon the detection capacity and attacks of her ASW helicopters and accompanying frigate battle group.

Aircraft


The ship supports 12 AV-8B Harrier II Bravo or AV-8B Harrier II Plus aircraft. The carrier also has facilities to support helicopters, usually 6 Sikorsky Sea King SH-3H, 4 Agusta-Bell AB-212 and 2 Sikorsky SH-3 AEW (Airborne Early Warning) helicopters.

The ship supports a maximum of 29 fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft with up to 12 on deck and 17 aircraft in the hangar. The hangar which measures 2,398 m2 is accessed by two flight deck lifts. The 5,100 m² flight deck is 176 m in length. Operating V/STOL aircraft, the carrier has the characteristic "ski-jump" (12° here), with the runway sightly off the longitudinal axis, tilted portside.

Withdrawal


In May 2012 rumours emerged that Príncipe de Asturias could be withdrawn from active service and placed in a state of "restrictive standby" along with two of the Santa Maria-class frigates, due to the financial pressures on the Spanish government. Annual operating costs for the carrier and its air group reached €100 million. Any decision on the fate of the vessel would have to be taken at the highest possible level due to the status of the ship as the flagship of the Spanish Navy.

In November 2012, her decommissioning was confirmed. The official decommissioning ceremony was held on 6 February 2013. Aviation capability is being provided by the landing helicopter dock ship Juan Carlos I. She was scrapped at Aliağa on 29 August 2017.