Which ship did the Spanish Harriers operate from?

Short answer

From the Dédalo: on 8 November 1972 a Harrier was successfully tested on its deck, a first in the aircraft's history. It was the first ship in the world to carry Harriers as a normal part of its aircraft complement. The Navy received six AV-8S and two TAV-8S throughout 1976 and four more AV-8S in 1980.

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Which ship did the Spanish Harriers operate from?

Takeoff of a Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR 1

An adapted wooden deck

On 8 November 1972 a Harrier was successfully tested on the deck of the Dédalo, a first in the aircraft's history. Since the Harrier's downwash during a vertical landing would have damaged the wooden deck, a protective metal shield was installed at the aft end of the flight deck. The Matador operated well from the veteran ship's wooden deck, though range was limited by the lack of a ski-jump ramp.

The aircraft and the air group

The first batch, six single-seat AV-8S and two two-seat TAV-8S, was delivered to the Spanish Navy throughout 1976, and a second batch of four AV-8S arrived in 1980. On board, eight AV-8S fighters, four Sea King anti-submarine helicopters and four AB 212ASW Twin Hueys came to operate. It was the first ship in the world to carry Harriers as a normal part of its aircraft complement.

The limit: no ski-jump ramp

Unlike other carriers used in Harrier operations, the Dédalo never had a ski-jump ramp installed to assist STOVL takeoffs, which limited the aircraft's maximum takeoff weight. Its record includes 1,650 days at sea, 300,000 nautical miles (560,000 km) and 30,000 recorded landings and takeoffs.