Ezpata

Class overview
Name:	Ezpata-class destroyer
Operators:	Ghantish Imperial Navy
Preceded by:	Balezta-class destroyer
In service:	1999-Present
Completed:	5
General characteristics
Type:	Frigate
Tonnage:	6,800 Metric tons
Length:	147 m
Beam:	18.6 m
Draught:	4.75 m
Propulsion:	CODOG, 2x Apollo Wayfarers 8000 diesel engines (7,580shp), 2x Rollers Engineering WR-21 gas turbine (23,500 shp), 2 shafts
Speed:	27 knots
Range:	Over 5,000 nmi
Complement:	200
Sensors and processing systems:	Zerua-S four-panelled passive electronic scanning array multifunction radar Zerua-X three-panelled active electronic scanning array fire control radar Albatrosa navigation/low-altitude scanning radar Type 2050 Hull-mounted sonar, Type 2087 tactical towed array sonar
Electronic warfare & decoys:	PRAETOR Electronic Warfare System Multi Ammunition Softkill System Surface Ship Torpedo Defence
Armament:	Missiles: 48-cell strike-length V90 Vertical-Launch System AD-12 Area Defence Missile AD-16 Adder 2 x RBS-15 quad-launchers Guns: 1 x 120mm deck gun 1 x Millennium Gun CIWS 2 x 12.7mm HMG mounts Torpedoes: 2 x Double torpedo tubes MU90 Impact
Aircraft carried:	1 x Cassini helicopter.

The Ezpata-class is a modern class of guided missile destroyer in service with the Ghantish Imperial Navy. Its function is to serve as the centrepiece of destroyer/frigate squadrons escorting carrier battle groups or amphibious task forces. Unlike its counterpart, the Gezi-class frigate, which has an anti-submarine and land-attack focus, the Ezpata are outfitted as specialist anti-air warfare vessels. It is equipped with two phased array radar systems - the four-panelled Zerua-S array, fitted around the bridge, operates in the S-band and allows the ship to search and track large numbers of targets within the local airspace, including those with low-radar return, whilst the smaller, three-panelled Zerua-X system provides fire control function for the ship's anti-air missiles and main gun.

Aside from its main air defence function, the Ezpata also possesses potent anti-surface capabiliy with eight canister-launched RBS-15 anti-ship missiles located amidship. The combination of a hull-mounted radar and a Cassini helicopter of Belfrasian origin provide a reasonable level of anti-submarine capability.

Vessels of the class are fitted 'for but not with' a number of upgrades. There is provision for a towed variable-depth sonar array towards the stern. Likewise, the 120mm main guns fitted to Ezpata-class ships were stripped from 1950's and 1960's-era vessels and it is likely that they will be replaced with a new naval artillery system in due course, either the Latin 127mm or the Arthuristan 155mm, both of which may utilise guided shells.