The Meteoro-class offshore patrol vessel, also known as Buque de Acción Marítima, are new modular offshore patrol vessels of the Spanish Navy adapted to different purposes from a common base, manufactured by Navantia. The BAMs combine high performance with mission versatility, a high commonality with other ships operated by the Spanish Navy. Acquisition and lifecycle costs are reduced.
Description
The BAMs are a common platform for a variety of missions, used to develop whole families of types of ships that meet the diverse needs of the Navy. Its main missions are:
Protection and escort of other ships in low intensity/asymmetric warfare situations
Control of maritime traffic
Control and neutralization of terrorism and piracy
Modular design enables the ships to be modified for purposes outside main missions such as hydrographic research, intelligence gathering, diving support and salvage operations.
Building
The BAM project consists of 12 vessels.
First phase
The first phase included the construction of six patrol boats. This phase was completed on January 2019 after twelve years.
Second phase
Like the first phase, this second is composed of six units. four of them are patrol boats and the two remaining are specialized BAMs, one oceanographic and the other underwater rescue. Characteristics of the Oceanographic BAM
Flight cover for medium helicopter without hangar.
Construction began on 4 October 2007 with the cutting of the first sheet and was placed on the stands the first on 13 March 2009, in the shipyard San Fernando. The budget was €352m but the final cost was €488.4m for four units. In June 2009, the Secretary of State for Defence and Congress confirmed the construction of a second batch to replace older patrol boats of the Anaga, Toralla, and the now-retired Barceló and Conejera classes. In September 2010, the Ministry of Defence said a contract would be signed with Navantia for four additional vessels to be delivered by 2015, but the contract has yet to be signed. Navantia has indicated that the Batch 2 vessels will be more modular, with the potential to switch between oceanography, intelligence gathering and search-and-rescue. One will be a diving support vessel, and one will be a research vessel for hydrography and logistical support in the Antarctic. The acquisition of two vessels, to enter service in 2019, was formally approved by the Spanish cabinet on 18 July 2014 at a cost of €166.74m each.
