During the 1950s and 1960s, Spain was going through a complex period of international isolation after World War II. However, the beginning of the cold war and the geopolitical strategy of containment of the Soviet Union allowed the Francisco Franco regime to approach the United States.
This approach culminated in the defense agreements of 1953, signed between Presidents Franco and Eisenhower. These agreements not only allowed the installation of US military bases on Spanish soil, but also brought with them a series of key military transfers, including five destroyers of the Fletcher class that would mark a before and after in the Spanish Navy.
World War II ships
These ships, veterans of World War II, were popularly known as “The five Latinos”, in a curious coincidence with the famous Argentine musical group of the same name. Although they were second -hand destroyers, they represented a significant advance for the naval capacity of Spain. His assignment symbolized the beginning of a stage of modernization and professionalization in the Spanish fleet, which at that time lacked modern media.
The ships-shook in Spain such as Lepanto (D-21), Admiral Ferrándiz (D-22), Admiral Valdés (D-23), Alcalá Galiano (D-24) and Jorge Juan (D-25)-were slightly modernized by the United States before their delivery. They came from the US Navy, where they had served under the names USS Capps (DD-550), David W. Taylor (DD-551), Converse (DD-509), Jarvis (DD-799) and McGowan (DD-678), respectively.
In December 1959, Admiral Abárzuza established the 21st destroyer squad, based on Cartagena, to receive and operate these ships. During 1960, the squad was completely formed.
Fletcher class destroyers
Fletcher class destroyers were built between 1942 and 1944 as part of the gigantic war of the United States during World War II. A total of 175 units were built, which makes them the largest class of destroyers built by the US to date. Designed to escort aircraft carriers and protect them from submarines and air attacks, Fletcher were characterized by their combination of speed, maneuverability and fire power.
They had a displacement of approximately 2,100 tons and an endowment of about 270 men. Its weapons was powerful for its time: five 127 mm cannons, multiple 40 mm and 20 mm anti -aircraft cannons, up to 10 533 mm launch pipes, K -type antisubmarine mortars, varicose veins for depth loads and, in some cases, ability to operate a recognition hydroavion.
Many of these ships received additional improvements during the war, such as the incorporation of radar systems and a CIC (combat information center), being pioneers in this regard.
After finishing the war, 19 Fletcher were sunk in combat, but the rest remained in reserve. With the Korean war, many returned to active duty. Some were reconditioned for anti -submarine missions and participated in the Cold War as part of the Western defense effort. It was in this context that five of them arrived in Spain, where they would operate for more than two decades.
The five Latinos: Axis of Spanish Naval Power
During the 60s, “the five Latinos” became the spine of the Spanish Navy, serving with great efficiency and allowing Spain to recover some relevance in the maritime stage of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Their robust design, excellent sailor behavior and navigation capacity made them versatile ships. Although they exceeded 40 years old in their last years of service, their solid construction and technical updates allowed their useful life to extend until the 80s.
As of 1980, the destroyers were relocated to maritime patrol tasks under the command of maritime surveillance forces. Each was assigned to a region: Admiral Ferrándiz to the Maritime Zone of the Canary Islands, the Lepanto and Jorge Juan to Cantabrian, the Alcalá Galiano to the Strait of Gibraltar and Admiral Valdés to the Mediterranean.
Finally, they were replaced by national construction ships such as the Balearic class frigates and the corvettes of the discovered class. However, his legacy was deep: they not only modernized the fleet, but also served as training platforms for generations of Spanish sailors.
The nickname “The five Latinos” reflected not only a cultural coincidence with the music of the time, but also the love and respect that these ships won inside the Navy. Today, its history is still alive as a testimony of a crucial stage in the naval reconstruction of Spain, in a world marked by strategic alliances, global tensions and the constant need for technological adaptation in the military field.