Alfa 4000 as amalgam of earlier Navantia-proposalsThe Alfa 4000 is a significant redevelopment of earlier proposals the company offered for Australian and other international requirements. These two designs were the Tasman-class corvette and the Alpha 5000 Combatant. The shipbuilder two years ago at Indo Pacific 2023 proposed the Tasman-class for the then notional “Tier 2”-requirement of the Royal Australian Navy. The Tasman-class is directly related to the Alpha 3000-design the builder has sold as “Avante“-class to Saudi-Arabia.
Navantia Alfa 4000 at Indo Pacific 2025 in Sydney. The new design represents an evolution of the older Tasman-class corvette.The RAN-effort later developed into the SEA 3000 program, which saw MHI receive preferred candidate-status earlier this year with their significantly larger “Upgraded Mogami” (aka 06FFM)-design. The Alpha 5000 Combatant meanwhile was a heavier armed design more in line with serving as a direct ANZAC-class replacement. Naval News has in the context of Indopac 2023 provided a detailed description for both proposals. The Spanish shipbuilder has several years ago also presented a different configuration carrying the name “Alfa 4000”, with minor variations in armament and overall dimensions.
Moderate armament meets increased sensor capabilityThe Alfa 4000 effectively merges capabilities of these earlier designs, integrating them on a lengthened Alpha 3000-hull. As the name suggests, this frigate displaces 4.080 tons. The hull is 112.4 metres long and 15.35 metres wide. While the design therefore is approximately 15 metres longer than the Alpha 3000, the beam is identical.
Navantia terms the warship a “light frigate”, based on the somewhat moderate armament, which is identical with that of the earlier Tasman-class. Missile-capacity includes 16 cells of the Mk 41 VLS in Strike-length, and four quadruple launchers for NSM antiship missiles. Guns include the Bofors 57 mm autocannon on the bow and a smaller CIWS above the hangar, resembling the Rheinmetall 35 mm Millenium gun. The frigate also carries two triple launchers for lightweight torpedos and decoy launchers. A helicopter landing pad and hangar can accommodate a medium weight helicopter such as the MH-60 Seahawk.
Alfa 4000-armament is virtually identical to the earler “Tasman”-class proposal from 2023.Similar to the older Alpha 5000 Combatant the Alfa 4000 offers enhanced sensor capability via a six face AESA on the integrated mast above the bridge. Like Navantia’s earlier designs the light frigate offers a mission bay below the helicopter hangar, which can mount a CAPTAS-type towed sonar, in addition to a hull-mounted sonar.
Propulsion is an integrated electric design, based on four primary diesel engines driving two electric motors, which in turn power the two propellers. The Alfa 4000 is capable of operating in up to sea state 6, and can conduct helicopter operations up to sea state 4.
The Alfa 4000 as shown at Indo Pacific 2025 featured a camouflage pattern very reminiscent of the Swedish Navy, where Navantia is among the final bidders for a four strong-frigate requirement.Prospects for Alfa 4000 in SwedenWhile Navantia, as outlined, has considerable history in presenting new variants of export designs tailored to anticipated requirements, the Alfa 4000 has recently made one step closer to possible production. As Swedish media reported on November 4, the Swedish government has downselected Navantia’s Alfa 4000 frigate together with competing designs from French Naval Group and British builder Babcock, possibly in cooperation with Swedish Kockums. In discussion with Naval News officials from Navantia Australia particularly emphasised the builder’s ability to rapidly deliver the new warships. Sweden has a requirement for four new frigates.
https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/indo-pacific-2025/2025/11/navantia-presents-alfa-4000-smart-lpd-at-indo-pacific-2025/
