Galicia-class landing platform dock

{{Infobox ship image

|Ship image=Buque de aslto anfibio(L-51) Galicia.JPG

|Ship caption=Galicia near Santander in 2009

}}

{{Infobox ship class overview

|Name=Galicia class

|Builders=Navantia

|Operators={{navy|Spain}}

|Class before=

|Class after=

|Subclasses=

|Cost= $132 million

|Built range=

|In commission range=

|Total ships building=

|Total ships planned=

|Total ships completed=2

|Total ships cancelled=

|Total ships active=2

|Total ships laid up=

|Total ships lost=

|Total ships retired=

|Total ships scrapped=

|Total ships preserved=

}}

{{Infobox ship characteristics

|Hide header=

|Header caption=

|Ship type=Landing platform dock

|Ship displacement={{cvt|13,815|t|LT|lk=on|abbr=on}} full load

|Ship length=* {{convert|160|m|ftin|abbr=on}} oa

{{convert|142|m|ftin|abbr=on}} pp

|Ship beam={{convert|25|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

|Ship draught={{convert|5.9|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

|Ship draft=

|Ship propulsion=* 4 Bazan/Caterpillar 3612 diesel engines

{{convert|12512|hp|lk=on|order=flip|abbr=on}}, 2 shafts, 1 {{convert|680|hp|order=flip|abbr=on}} bow thruster

|Ship speed={{convert|20|kn|lk=in}} maximum

|Ship range={{convert|6,000|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|12|kn}}

|Ship complement=189

|Ship capacity=543 fully-equipped soldiers and 130 APCs or 33 MBTs

|Ship sensors=DA08 air / surface search IRSCAN SATCOM, Link 1, JMCIS

|Ship EW=

|Ship boats=4 LCM-1E

|Ship armament=* 4 Sippican Hycor SRBOC MK36 launchers

2 × 20 mm Oerlikon cannon

|Ship armour=

|Ship endurance=

|Ship aircraft=4 SH-3D or 6 AB 212 helicopters

|Ship aircraft facilities={{convert|60|x|25|m|ft|abbr=on}} flight deck, hangar

|Ship notes=

}}

The Galicia class are two landing platform dock (LPD) ships in service with the Spanish Navy. Built by Navantia at Ferrol, their mission is to carry out amphibious warfare by transporting the bulk of the Infantería de Marina. These ships have both a large helicopter flight deck and a {{convert|885|m2|adj=on}} well deck for large landing craft, as well as a {{convert|1,000|m2|adj=on}} space for up to 33 main battle tanks.

{{ship|Spanish ship|Galicia|L51|2}} was commissioned in 1998 and {{ship|Spanish ship|Castilla|L52|2}} in 2000. Galicia and Castilla are based at the Rota naval base in Spain.

The class is the result of a joint project between Spain and the Netherlands for developing a common class of LPD that would fulfill the needs of both countries to replace older ships. This process produced the Enforcer design, which forms the basis of the Galicia class as well as the similar Royal Netherlands Navy {{sclass|Rotterdam|landing platform dock|4}} and British Royal Fleet Auxiliary {{sclass2|Bay|landing ship|4}}.

Design and description

The project began in the Netherlands in 1990, as that country sought a solution to their LPD requirements. Spain joined the project in July 1991, and the definition stage was completed by December 1993. The Galicia class spawned from the joint Enforcer design with Spain's lead ship being authorised on 29 July 1994. The LPDs were designed to transport a battalion of marines and disembark them offshore and general logistic support. Vessels of the class have a full load displacement of {{cvt|13,815|t|lk=on}}.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=751}}{{efn|The Spanish Navy's website has the vessels at {{convert|13000|t|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=https://armada.defensa.gob.es/ArmadaPortal/page/Portal/ArmadaEspannola/buquessuperficie/prefLang-en/03Buquesanfibios--02buque-asalto-anfibio-castilla-l-52 |title=Amphibious Ship Castilla (L-52) |publisher=Spanish Navy |access-date=31 August 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://armada.defensa.gob.es/ArmadaPortal/page/Portal/ArmadaEspannola/buquessuperficie/prefLang-en/03Buquesanfibios--01buque-asalto-anfibio-galicia-l-51 |title=Amphibious Ship Galicia (L-51) |publisher=Spanish Navy |access-date=31 August 2020}}}} The vessels measure {{convert|160|m|ftin}} long overall and {{convert|142|m|ftin|abbr=on}} between perpendiculars with a beam of {{convert|25|m|ftin|abbr=on}} and a draught of {{convert|5.9|m|ftin|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=751}}

The LPDs are powered by four Bazan/Caterpillar 3612 diesel engines in two sets initially creating {{convert|12512|hp|lk=on|order=flip}}{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=751}} though this was later increased to {{convert|22000|hp|order=flip|abbr=on}}, and an {{convert|1500|hp|order=flip|abbr=on}} electric generator tied to reduction gear. Each vessel has two shafts with {{convert|4|m|adj=on}}, five-bladed variable pitch propellers. The ships also mount one bow thruster initially capable of {{convert|680|hp|order=flip|abbr=on}}{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=751}} but was later improved to {{convert|1800|hp|order=flip|abbr=on}}. This gives the ships a maximum speed of {{convert|20|kn|lk=in}} and a range of {{convert|6,000|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|12|kn}}.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=751}} The ships have a {{convert|7|MW|adj=on}} electric plant comprising four diesel generators capable of creating {{convert|1520|kW|abbr=on}} and an emergency {{convert|715|kW|abbr=on}} generator.

File:Ship LPD-Castilla-(L52)-01.jpg in 2009]]

The Galicia class have a {{convert|60|by|25|m|ft|abbr=on}} flight deck capable of operating helicopters.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=751}} The vessels have hangar area for four heavy or six medium helicopters. They have a {{convert|885|m2|abbr=on}} well deck and are capable of operating six landing craft vehicle and personnel (LCVP) or four landing craft mechanized (LCM) or one landing craft utility and one LCVP.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=751}} Normally, they operate with four LCM-1E craft. Within the ship there is {{convert|1010|m2|abbr=on}} of parking space for up to 130 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) or 33 main battle tanks (MBTs).{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=751}} However, a maximum of 170 vehicles can be carried depending on size. Both ships have capacity for {{convert|700|t|LT|abbr=on}} of ammunition and stores spread out within the {{convert|3500|m2|abbr=on}} of cargo space between the storerooms, flight deck and hangar. Galicia can transport 543 fully-equipped troops and 72 staff and aircrew. Castilla can transport 404 fully-equipped troops and 72 staff and aircrew.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=751}}{{efn|The official Spanish Navy website claims both ships can transport 615 troops.}}

The LPDs are armed with two Oerlikon 20 mm cannon cannon but can be fitted with four. They also mount six Sippican Hycor SRBOC MK36 chaff launchers. The Galicia class is equipped with KH 1007 air/surface search radar and AN/TPX-54 (V) Mk-XII (mode 4) identification friend or foe. Galicia has a complement of 115 with capacity for an additional 12 personnel. Castilla has a complement of 189.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=751}}{{efn|The official website of the Spanish Navy states both ships have a complement of 185.}}

Ships in class

File:Castilla y Galicia.JPG in 2008]]

File:Buque de Asalto Anfibio Clase Galicia (L-51) Spanish Navy (6784578215).jpg in 2012]]

File:JMSDF Ariake(DD-109）＆Armada Española Castilla (L-52).jpg

class="wikitable"
colspan=7 align=center\| Galicia class{{sfn\|Saunders\|2009\|p=751}}
Hull number ! Name ! Builder ! Laid down ! Launched ! Commissioned ! Status
L51 \|{{ship\|Spanish ship\|Galicia\|L51\|2}} \| rowspan=2 align=center \|Bazán (later Navantia), Ferrol, Spain \| 31 May 1996 \| 21 July 1997 \| 30 April 1998 \| In active service
L52 \|{{ship\|Spanish ship\|Castilla\|L52\|2}} \| 11 December 1997 \| 14 June 1999 \| 26 June 2000 \|In active service

class="wikitable"

colspan=7 align=center| Galicia class{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=751}}

Hull number

! Name

! Builder

! Laid down

! Launched

! Commissioned

! Status

L51

|{{ship|Spanish ship|Galicia|L51|2}}

| rowspan=2 align=center |Bazán (later Navantia), Ferrol, Spain

| 31 May 1996

| 21 July 1997

| 30 April 1998

| In active service

L52

|{{ship|Spanish ship|Castilla|L52|2}}

| 11 December 1997

| 14 June 1999

| 26 June 2000

|In active service

Construction and career

The first ship, named Galicia, was ordered in July 1994 and laid down by Bazán (later Navantia) at their shipyard in Ferrol, Spain on 31 May 1996. The second vessel, named Castilla, was ordered on 9 May 1997 and laid down on 11 December. Galicia commissioned on 30 April 1998 and Castilla on 26 June 2000. Both ships are based at Rota naval base.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=751}}

Galicia performed humanitarian aid operations to Central America following Hurricane Mitch from November 1998 to January 1999. Castilla participated in Operation Romeo Sierra in Perejil Island on 17 July 2002. Both vessels took part in the cleanup following the wreck of the tanker {{MV|Prestige||2}} and the resulting oil spill from December 2002 to February 2003. In 2002–2003 Castilla underwent a refit that improved the vessel's command, control and communications capabilities.{{sfn|Saunders|2009|p=751}} In July 2003, Castilla transported the Spanish Legion to Ash Shuahyabah, United Arab Emirates as part of Operation IF, returning in September. The ship was then sent to provide humanitarian aid to Haiti as part Operation Mar Caribe from October to December 2004. From January to April 2005, Galicia was deployed to provide humanitarian aid in Iraq.

Galicia took part in Operation Respuesta Solidaria in Banda Aceh after the tsunami in northwestern Sumatra. This was followed by Operation Libre Hidalgo in support of United Nations peacekeeping in Lebanon. The LPD made two deployments, one in 2010 and another in 2011, as part of Operation Atalanta fighting piracy in the Indian Ocean and off the coast of Somalia. In April 2020, Galicia was deployed to Melilla, Spain to aid the city in the fight against COVID-19.{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/04/spanish-navys-lpd-galicia-tasked-with-covid-19-relief-mission/ |title=Spanish Navy's LPD Galicia Tasked With Covid-19 Relief Mission |website=Naval News |date=1 April 2020 |access-date=31 August 2020}}

Notes

Citations

References

{{cite book |editor-last=Saunders |editor-first=Stephen |year=2009 |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2009–2010 |edition=112th |publisher=Jane's Information Group Inc. |location=Alexandria, Virginia |isbn=978-0-7106-2888-6}}

External links

[http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/galicia/ Naval-technology.com]

Category:Amphibious warfare vessel classes