Spanish aircraft carrier Príncipe de Asturias

Príncipe de Asturias during the joint exercise Dragon Hammer '92.
History
Spain
NamePríncipe de Asturias
NamesakePríncipe de Asturias
Ordered29 May 1977
BuilderBazán, Ferrol
CostUS$285 million (1993)
Laid down8 October 1979
Launched22 May 1982
Sponsored byQueen Sofía of Spain
Commissioned30 May 1988
Decommissioned6 February 2013
HomeportNaval Station Rota
IdentificationPennant number: R-11
FateScrapped Aliaga 29 August 2017
Badge
General characteristics
Class & typePríncipe de Asturias-class light aircraft carrier
Displacement
  • 15,912 tons standard,
  • 16,700 tons loaded
Length195.9 m (643 ft)
Beam24.3 m (80 ft)
Draught9.4 m (31 ft)
Propulsion2 × Bazan-General Electric LM2500+ gas turbines in COGAG configuration, one shaft, 46,400 shp
Speed26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph)
Range6,500 nautical miles (12,000 km; 7,500 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement830 (total); 600 ship crew, 230 air crew
Sensors &
processing systems
  • Raytheon SPS-52C/D 3D air search radar,
  • SC Cardion SPS-55 surface search radar,
  • ITT SPN-35A aircraft control radar,
  • FABA SPG-M2B fire control radar,
  • SELEX Sistemi Integrati RTN-11L/X missile approach warning radar,
  • Selex RAN 12 L target designation radar
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
Aircraft carried29 fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft
Aviation facilities12° ski jump 46.5 m (153 ft) in length

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 Dédalo and later the multi-role light 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). 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.