Spanish warships in Cartagena

Cartagena is one of the Spanish Navy's main naval bases, and during our recent cruise to Iberia, I had the opportunity to photograph several of the warships that are based there.

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Reina Ysabel (A-06): Suardiaz Galicia-class Transport ship

Originally built for and operated by the Suardiaz shipping company as the Galicia, this ship was purchased second-hand in 2020 to replace two older transport ships, the El Camino Español (A-05) and Martín Posadillo (A-04). She was refitted for her new role in Vigo and was commissioned into the Spanish Navy on 2nd June 2021.

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Meteoro (P-41): Meteoro-class Patrol ship

The current six ships of the Meteoro-class are in service as patrol ships. They were designed by Navantia as Buque de Acción Marítima (BAM), a modular design of warship that can be adapted to perform other roles. A second batch of six is planned, four of which will be patrol boats and the other two will be an oceanographic research ship and a submarine rescue ship.

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Neptuno (A-20): Amatista Mod-class Submarine rescue ship

The Neptuno will remain in service until a specially adapted ship from the as yet to be constructed second batch of the Meteoro-class is built to replace her.

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Sella (M-32) and Duero (M-35): Segura-class Mine countermeasure vessels

The design of the six Segura-class vessels is based upon the Royal Navy's Sandown-class Minehunters.

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Galerna (S-71): Galerna-class Submarine

One of the two remaining submarines of the four Galena-class submarines built in the early 1980s. The design was based on that of the French Agosta-class submarine. Galena is currently being refitted for further service, and will remain in commission until the S-80 Plus submarines come into service.

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Isaac Peral (S-81): Isaac Peral/S-80 Plus-class Submarine

One of four submarines being built to replace the earlier Galena-class submarines. The design is based on that of the French S-80 submarine.