Spanish Oddities
Queen Sofia launches the largest ship in the Spanish Navy, the aircraft carrier named after her husband
By h.b.
Mar 11, 2008 - 7:59 AM

Spain’s largest aircraft carrier was launched in Ferrol last night. ‘Juan Carlos I’ has cost 360 million € and will be handed over to the Spanish Navy in a years time, and be ready for service in two. She has four times as many features and abilities than the current carrier ‘Principe de Asturias’.

'Juan Carlos I' moved down the slipway at 6,09 pm last night, to coincide with the high tide, after Queen Sofia had blessed the ship and named her with the traditional bottle of Champaign. The Spanish National Anthem was played as the vessel entered the water, to the cheers of thousands of locals who had gone down to the docks to witness the spectacle. Other boats in the port sounded their horns.

Sliding down the slipway at high tide in Ferrol - Photo EFE

The King, Juan Carlos I, accompanied the Queen to see the launch of the boat in his name, and was dressed for the occasion in the uniform of Navy General Capitan. Also present were the Ministers for Defence and Culture, José Antonio Alonso and César Antonio Molina, together with other dignitaries.

The ‘Juan Carlos I’ will become the largest vessel in the Spanish navy and will be completed next year, but not ready for service for another two years. She is as tall as a 12 story building, and will need a crew of 240 who will be under the thumb of Capitan Andrés Amable.

Queen Sofia launches the ship with the traditional bottle of champaign - Photo EFE

She will be able to carry 1,200 soldiers, 27,000 tons of cargo and on her deck will be able to carry as many as 30 planes. She will also be useful as a hospital vessel, being equipped with surgeries for operations and dental work, as well as having an infectious disease unit.

She also carries 20 and 12.7mm guns and carries her own anti missile defence system.

Time for a Royal kiss, as the Prince of Asturias looks on - Photo EFE