The Spanish Council of Ministers has given the green light for the development of the Spanish Navy’s future intelligence-gathering vessel, designated BAM-AGI, leading to an important new phase in the country’s naval capabilities. The initiative marks a significant step in modernizing Spain’s maritime intelligence capabilities in response to evolving security challenges.
Under a contract valued at approximately 14 million euros (around $16.30 million), Spanish shipbuilder Navantia will undertake engineering studies that are expected to take 11 months. This initial phase is crucial as it will lay the groundwork for the design and eventual construction of the new vessel. By defining the project’s scope and addressing potential development risks, it aims to ensure that the BAM-AGI meets contemporary operational demands.
The development of this new intelligence vessel is part of Spain’s broader Industrial and Technological Plan for Security and Defence, with the BAM-AGI set to replace the outdated Alerta intelligence-gathering ship, which has been operational since 1992. The new vessel will enhance the Spanish Navy’s capabilities in signal collection and processing, cyber defense, and naval electronic warfare. These enhancements will empower the Navy to address a range of emerging threats more effectively.
The intelligence system aboard the BAM-AGI is derived from the Santiago program, an initiative designed to modernize data collection and analysis mechanisms across various branches of the Spanish Armed Forces. This modernization is both timely and essential, as it reflects a larger movement among European naval forces—including Germany, Poland, and Sweden—aimed at updating their surface intelligence-gathering capabilities to meet 21st-century security demands.
The approval marks a pivotal moment for the Spanish Navy and highlights the importance of advancing naval technology in an increasingly complex global security environment.
