Navantia invests in Spanish naval research centre to support F-110 frigate

Navantia has begun work at a joint research unit in the Spanish city of Ferrol, where it will collaborate with the University of A Coruña on a project aimed at enhancing the company’s production efficiency and bringing down its costs.

The Spanish shipbuilder, whose Fene-Ferrol shipyard specialises in large tonnage and complex warships, has provided EUR3.5 million (USD3.7 million) for the project, which it has branded ‘Shipyard 4.0’. Thirty researchers from both the university and Navantia will work on improving the company’s design and construction processes, with the goal of benefiting the Spanish F-110 future frigate programme, which aims to deliver its first vessel in 2022.