Navantia to build two further Meteoro-class OPVs for Spain

Spanish Navy Meteoro-class OPV Meteoro (P 41) during exercise ‘Neptune Strike 22'. (US Navy)

The Spanish government has approved the start of a contracting process with state-owned shipbuilder Navantia for the construction of a third batch of two Meteoro-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Spanish Navy. Production is expected to commence in 2027 at Navantia's facility in Puerto Real once a contract has been signed.

A budget of EUR716 million (USD831 million) has been assigned for the two ships, which Navantia says will incorporate improvements in operational capabilities and living conditions over the previous six ships of the class. Improvements will include an updated combat system, a next-generation integrated platform management system (IPMS), enhanced communications and navigation systems, advanced cyber-security measures, the integration of unmanned vehicles, new workspaces and medical facilities, and increased crew accommodation capacity.

Navantia said in a 17 September press release that all of the engineering work for the new ships will be conducted using digital tools from the company's ELCANO programme, which is owned by the company and features Siemens software. The ELCANO environment enables the integration of design, modelling, simulation, and construction in a connected digital workflow, according to Navantia.