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Spain commissions a feasibility study for its first conventional aircraft carrier, shifting from STOVL-only platforms and signaling a major evolution in naval air power.
Spain Prepares for Its First Conventional Aircraft Carrier.
In a historic shift for its naval strategy, Spain is preparing to build its first conventional aircraft carrier, a development that would significantly upgrade its maritime airpower capabilities. The Spanish Navy (Armada Española) has formally commissioned state-owned shipbuilder Navantia to conduct a feasibility study for what could become the largest warship in Spain’s history—surpassing the current LHD Juan Carlos I.
This initiative marks a clear evolution from the Navy’s original plan to operate up to three STOVL-capable amphibious assault ships to now embracing a mixed fleet that includes one conventional fixed-wing aircraft carrier. The envisioned carrier could resemble the French Charles de Gaulle, weighing around 40,000 tons and measuring over 260 meters in length.
Currently, the Juan Carlos I supports STOVL (Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing) aircraft such as the AV-8B Harrier II, now reaching the end of their service life. The only modern replacement available for such aircraft is the F-35B by Lockheed Martin, which limits operational flexibility and market competition.
A conventional aircraft carrier, using catapults and arrestor wires, would expand Spain’s fighter options to include the F-35C, F/A-18F Super Hornet, and Rafale M, among others. These aircraft offer longer range, heavier payloads, and more advanced sensors compared to STOVL types.
The move also aligns Spain with NATO partners like France and the U.S., both operating advanced carrier-borne aircraft. Furthermore, it opens the door to future integration of sixth-generation jets from the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project, being jointly developed by France, Germany, and Spain.
Navantia's study will explore key systems including:
- Catapult-assisted take-off and arrested recovery (CATOBAR) systems
- Aircraft support for 25–30 fixed-wing manned fighter jets
- Integration of Class 3 UAVs with capabilities for early warning
Pending government approval, the first steel cut could take place by 2035, with the ship entering service around 2040. When complete, the new carrier will be larger and more capable than the Juan Carlos I (26,000 tons, 231 meters), marking a leap forward in Spanish naval aviation.
Spain’s future carrier air wing may include a mix of:
- Carrier-capable fighter jets (F-35C, Rafale M, or F/A-18F)
- Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance and ASW
- Future FCAS naval variants (anticipated post-2040)
This development ensures that Spain will always have two naval aviation platforms operational, even when one is undergoing extended maintenance addressing a crucial limitation faced by navies operating a single carrier-type vessel.
It also reflects a broader trend across Europe: modernization of naval forces and an increased focus on blue-water capabilities. With rising geopolitical tensions and renewed interest in power projection, Spain is positioning itself as a stronger and more autonomous player within both NATO and the EU.
The construction of a conventional aircraft carrier not only reflects Spain’s technological ambition and industrial capacity, but it also enhances the country's strategic relevance in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. This evolution is emblematic of a new chapter for the Spanish Navy and for European naval power as a whole.
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