Navantia commissioned, on 30th. September, the LHD "Juan Carlos I" to the Spanish Navy at the Ferrol Arsenal. H.M. the King of Spain has presided the official reception ceremony of this amphibious ship, the biggest ever built by Navantia, and the biggest ship of the Spanish Navy. Other authorities have attended the ceremony, as the Minister of Defence, Carmen Chacón and the President of Navantia, Aurelio Martínez.

This ship, whose construction started in 2005, was launched on 10th. March 2008, being HM. Queen Sofía the Godmother of the ship.

The LHD Juan Carlos I has been designed to carry out amphibious missions, force deployment, humanitarian assistance and to act as an auxiliary aircraft carrier.

She also has a large hospital capacity, which in addition to her cargo capacity make her ideal for deployment in disaster areas.

With a length overall of 230.82 metres (flight deck 202.3 m.), 32 m. beam and full load displacement of more than 27,500 tonnes, this will be the biggest ship ever made available to the Spanish Navy. She will also be the first of such a size with podded electrical propulsion. Highly automated, her crew will consist of just 247 persons.

Length Overall - 231.40 m

Length Between Perpendiculars - 205.70 m

Maximum Beam - 32.00 m

Beam Waterline - 29.50 m

Design Draught - 6.80 m

Depth to Fly deck - 27.50 m

Light Weight - 19,300 t

Full load Dead Weight - 6,500 t

Future Growth margin - 1,000 t

Full load Displacement - 26,800 t

Displacement in Air Operation - 23,900 t

Maximum speed (Full Load) - >20.0 knots

Maximum Speed in Air Operations - >21.0 knots

Continuous Speed - >19.5 knots

Range @ 15knots - 9,000 miles

Hangar Area and Light Cargo deck - >3000 m2

Dock Area and Heavy Cargo deck - >2600 m2

Area on Flight Deck - >4500 m2

Dock Capacity [LCM 1E; LCAC] - [4 ;1 ]

Spots for Helicopters [NH-90; CH-47] -  [6 ;4 ]

Aircraft Operations with VSTOL - AV-8B; JSF

Crew - 243 p

General Staff - 103 p.

Flight Embarked Unit - 172 p

Naval Landing Group - 23 p.

Embarked Forces - 902 p.

Accommodation Capacity - 1443 p.

Provisions for the Crew, EM, UNAEMB, GNP - 20 days

Provisions for Embarked Forces - 30 days

Many international Navies, have shown their interest on this ship. Navantia is buiding two units for the Australian Navy, contract signed in 2007.