T he Meroka CIWS is a Spanish Close-in weapon system developed and produced by the apanish firm Fabrica de Artillería Bazán. The Meroka uses twelve Oerlikon 20mm/120 mounted in two rown of six guns each. The Meroka are equipped in the Principe de Asturias aircraft carrier, the Santa Maria Class frigates, the frigates of the Álvaro de Bazán and the frigates of the Baleares Class. The development of the Meroka CIWS began in 1970 and the Spanish navy adopted the system in 1975.