Editing Santa María-class frigate (section)

==Construction and service==
[[File:Standard Missile of Spanish frigate SPS Canarias (F86).jpg|thumb|''Canarias'' firing a Standard missile on 30 July 2006]]
The first three ships were ordered on 29 June 1977. Delays in construction followed as the Spanish Navy deferred the frigates' construction in order to focus on the construction of a new [[aircraft carrier]].  The fourth hull was ordered on 19 June 1986, and the final two on 26 December 1989. ''Santa María'' was the first of the class to enter service in 1986.{{sfn|Sturton|1995|p=436}} In August 1991  ''Santa María'' was among the Spanish ships deployed to the [[Persian Gulf]] and [[Red Sea]] as part of the International Force following the [[Iraqi invasion of Kuwait|invasion of Kuwait by Iraq]]. She was later replaced by sister ship ''Numancia'' in November.{{sfn|Sturton|1995|p=429}} By 1994 all six vessels were active and are homeported at [[Rota, Spain]] as part of the 41st Escort Squadron.{{sfn|Wertheim|2013|p=672}}