The Spanish Armada needs ships. The statement, which is the summary of the opinions of the experts consulted by this newspaper, would be a truism if it were not for the fact that it is the result of operational necessity and not the description of an essential characteristic, according to these specialists. Because, among other examples, there are not enough patrol ships to cover the currently established surveillance missions. Or because, in other cases, the ships are already very old and their useful life has exceeded.
The sailors hope that part of the increase in defense spending announced by the government and included in the general state budget will reach the naval force.
The Navy currently has six maritime action vessels, the BAMs, very versatile vessels that could be in charge of patrolling. Calculations indicate that another six more would be necessary to guarantee surveillance of the waters of interest.
The multi-phase construction of this new series of BAM's could take several years to complete. There is, of course, one already projected, but with its own specifications for underwater intervention, destined to take over from the ancient Neptuno, launched in 1974, although incorporated into the Navy in 1988.
“Many [patrol officers] have been discharged and they have not been replaced. There are still days of sailing and the long-awaited European corvette has not yet arrived”, internal Navy sources told this newspaper. Of the aforementioned European corvette project, and which should replace the already decommissioned patrol boats, there will not be a first prototype until 2026 or 2027.
The fear that runs among sailors is that they will end up carrying out naval patrols with ships that are inappropriate for these missions, both permanent and occasional ones derived from exceptional situations or international commitments that have arisen. That is to say, that they are carried out with vessels not intended for water control but, for example, for transport, and that this ceases to be a practice that is carried out only in true emergency situations and is consolidated.
"We need more smaller ships," say the sources consulted from the naval force.
Deficiencies due to lack of replacement of decommissioned ships or those that are totally old extend to other types of ships, such as transport or auxiliary ships. Also the two hydrographic ships, responsible for updating the nautical cartographies, need a replacement. They have been in service since 1975.
Another of the Navy's huge deficits is reflected in the submarine flotilla. Just over 10 years ago, there were four S-70 series submersibles: the Sirocco, the Mistral, the Tramontana and the Galerna. The first two have already been discharged and Tramontana, as planned, will be this summer. Only the Galerna, which entered service in 1981, will continue to operate.
The relay of these submersibles is the long-awaited S-80 of a new generation and of Spanish manufacture. In this case, the consternation stems not from a lack of resources - the new submarine program is costly and more than enough funds have been dedicated - but from the enormous problems that its design and planning have shown time and again. their production. There were problems with the submarine's overweight or capacity to accommodate it at the Cartagena docks.
"It has turned out to be the most expensive torpedo submarine in history," laments Professor Luis V. Pérez Gil, from the University of La Laguna.
This expert in conflict theory refers to the fact that the S-80 should have long-range ground attack capability, which it will not have for the moment, nor the air-independent fuel cell (AIP) system that it would allow the submersible to stay underwater much longer than with a conventional diesel-electric system. However, the necessary space has been enabled inside the submersible to install it later. At this moment, no one dares to make a forecast about, after the submarine is finally delivered to the Navy after the umpteenth delay, when those improvements that have not arrived on time will be included.
Another urgency that specialists point out is the need to replace the only Navy aircraft capable of operating from a ship; the popular Harrier vertical takeoff fighters. “You have to find a device to replace them or lose capacity. There is no more left”, comments Pérez Gil.
The ever-coveted option for Navy pilots is the ultra-expensive US-made F-35 fighter, but such a possibility seems far off right now. Another option that is discussed in circles linked to defense is the possibility of embarking drones and not piloted devices. This would mean, however, the loss of another capacity that has historically been counted on in the Armed Forces.
