The Spanish Álvaro de Bazán class combines a five-inch gun, 48-cell Mark 41 VLS, Harpoon missiles, torpedoes, a helicopter, and the Aegis combat system. Australia developed the closely related Hobart class on a somewhat larger displacement while designating it a destroyer rather than a frigate. Both are capable general-purpose air-defence combatants useful for fleet escort and national presence. Their near-identical lineage makes them a particularly clear demonstration that classification reflects national force structure and convention as much as physical capability. Spain's cancelled sixth hull and move toward the F-110 also place the family inside a continuing domestic frigate program.
Chapter · 2:07:35-2:10:58
One Aegis family called frigate and destroyer
Spain's Álvaro de Bazán frigates and Australia's larger Hobart destroyers show how national labels diverge within one closely related Aegis design family.
5-inch GunsAegis Combat SystemÁlvaro de Bazán Class FrigatesEvolved Sea Sparrow MissileF 110 FrigateGuided Missile DestroyersGuided Missile FrigatesHarpoon MissileHobart Class DestroyersMark 41 VLSRoyal Australian NavyShip ClassificationShipboard HelicoptersSM-2 MissileSpanish NavySpanish Shipbuilding