Queen Sofía launches combat ship

Queen Sofía of Spain has launched the F-111 frigate combat ship “Bonifaz” at the Navantia shipyards in Ferrol.

Queen Sofía was received by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez; the President of the Xunta de Galicia, Alfonso Rueda; the Second Vice President of the Government and Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz; the Government Delegate in the Autonomous Community of Galicia, Pedro Blanco; the Mayor of Ferrol, José Manuel Rey; the President of the State Industrial Holdings Company, Belén Gualda; and the President of Navantia, Ricardo Domínguez García-Baquero.

© Casa de S.M. el Rey

Following several speeches, the chaplain gave the traditional blessing to the ship. Queen Sofía took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and christened the ship by releasing a bottle. The National Anthem was played as the ship rolled into the water.

The Bonifaz is one of five combat ships which will be named after illustrious sailors from Spanish history. Besides the Bonifaz, there will be a Roger de Lauria (F112), Menéndez de Avilés (F113), Luis de Córdova (F114), and Barceló (F115).