heritage (of growing interest in litigation with the Odyssey by the frigate "Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes" between 2007 and 2012). SAR operations. Transport of personnel and material. Fight against pollution. History Construction began on 4 October 2007 with the cutting of the first sheet and was placed on the stands the first on 13 March 2009, in the shipyard San Fernando. The budget was €352m but the final cost was €488.4m for four units (~US$160m each). In June 2009, the Secretary of State for Defence and Congress confirmed the construction of a second batch to replace older patrol boats of the Anaga (3), Toralla (2), (4) and the now-retired Barceló (6) and Conejera (4) classes. In September 2010, the Ministry of Defence said a contract would be signed with Navantia for four additional vessels to be delivered by 2015, but the contract has yet to be signed. Navantia has indicated that the Batch 2 vessels will be more modular, with the potential to switch between oceanography, intelligence gathering and search-and-rescue. One will be a diving support vessel, and one will be a research vessel for hydrography and logistical support in the Antarctic. The acquisition of two vessels, to enter service in 2019, was formally approved by the Spanish cabinet on 18 July 2014 at a cost of €166.74m (US$224m) each. However, the envisaged in service date was subsequently delayed until the mid-2020s. Ships References This article contains content from the Spanish Wikipedia. External links BAM Buque de Acción Marítima - Página Oficial Armada Española BAM P-41 Meteoro - Página Oficial Atenea SYD BAM Navantia - Página Oficial Defensa.com Buques de Acción Marítima (BAM) - Ships of the Spanish Navy Buque de Acción Marítima Patrol ship classes