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November 13, 2003

Spain is building it's largest warship ever, a 26,000 ton amphibious ship. The 760 foot long ship will look like American amphibious ships (that is, like an aircraft carrier.) The Spanish ship will carry 900 troops, 35 Leopard 2 tanks, two NH-90 transport helicopters and up to a dozen other transport helicopters (NH-90s or another type not specified yet), or eight AV-8B Harrier warplanes (if Spain's aircraft carrier is not using them). The vessel will cost nearly $400 and is to enter service in 2008. Such a ship will enable Spain to quickly put marines ashore in far off places, most likely in African and Middle Eastern hot spots. Building such a ship is a large investment in future peacekeeping activities.