Spanish Navy still waits for new submarines
The launch of the Isaac Peral in Cartagena is an important milestone to the delivery of the S-80 class of SSKs. (Photo: Babcock)
The Spanish Navy’s decade-long wait for its new submarines could now be over. The launch of the first S-80A Plus boat by shipbuilder Navantia could mean delivery of the new platforms from 2023.
Spanish shipbuilder Navantia launched the first of four S-80A Plus submarines, Isaac Peral (S 81), in a ceremony on 23 April.
The company announced the achievement of this milestone with some relief after a long and painful process in developing the S-80 class of diesel-electric submarines (SSKs), designed to replace Agosta-class S-70B submarines in the Spanish Navy.
Navantia stated that the next phase will be harbour tests and sea tests, which include diving to the maximum operating depth.
‘The first sailing is scheduled for early 2022 and delivery to the Navy in early 2023,’ the company said. This is 12 years later
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