The Principe de Asturias, a Spanish aircraft carrier, entered Grand Harbour, yesterday.

The 17,190-ton ship has been in service with the Spanish Navy since 1988 and is based at the Rota naval air base.

The ship supports up to 12 AV-8B Harrier II Plus and Harrier II aircraft. The Harriers are armed with AIM-9L Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and AGM-65E Maverick air-to-ground missiles, in addition to GAU-12U cannon. The carrier has facilities to support up to 12 helicopters, usually six Sikorsky Sea King SH-3H, four Agusta AB-212 and two Sikorsky SH-3 AEW helicopters.

She has four FABA Meroka Mod 2B close-in weapon systems (CIWS), with 12-barrelled Oerlikon L120 20mm guns. The guns have a rate of fire of 1,440 rounds/min and a range of up to 2,000m. They are installed two on the stern deck and one each on the port and starboard side of the flight deck.

The public can visit the ship at Pinto Wharf, today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The aircraft carrier was assisted into harbour by pilot Austin Vella. She leaves Valletta for Turkey this evening.