Meteoro

Description: The Meteoro, originally known as Buque de Accion Maritima Oceanico (BAM-Oceanico) or Oceanic Maritime Action Ship in English, is a new class of corvette-sized ship intended as a replacement for a variety of Spanish Navy's patrol boats which are reaching the end of their projected service life. Their primary goal will be to protect Spain's Economic Exclusive Zone (EZZ) and to provide humanitarian relief. The Meteoro-class ships feature oceanic capability, high reliability, low life cycle cost, automated ship's sub-systems and reduced manpower as well as an outstanding at sea mission endurance. Beginning in mid-2009, four BAM-class ships will replace existing Barcelo-, Anaga-, Conejera-, Toralla- and Descubierta-class vessels. On September 29, 2010, the Spanish Ministry of Defense and Navantia signed a contract for an additional four vessels to be delivered by 2015 but the order was cancelled due to budget cuts. On May 7, 2014, a new 400 million Euro order was awarded to Navantia for two vessels.

The Meteoro-class ships will be provided with a 76mm 62-caliber dual purpose gun, two 25mm automatic guns, and two 12.7mm machine guns. An aft flight deck enables operation of a single AB212/SH-3D/NH90 helicopter. The 2,500t class ships feature a CODOE (Combined Diesel Or Electric) propulsion system which combines two diesel engines developing 4,500 KW each with two electric engines developing 2x750 KW. The propulsion system allows a top speed in excess of 20 knots. The Spanish Navy's plans call for the development of a family of surface ships based on the BAM design to fit non-Oceanic missions such as hydrographic, intelligence gathering, and submarine rescue.