Spain’s first S-80-class submarine launched

Spanish shipyard Navantia held a launching ceremony for the first unit in a new class of four diesel-electric submarines on Thursday, April 22.

The S-80-class submarine was christened Isaac Peral during the same ceremony, which was presided over by the country’s monarch, King Felipe VI, and his family as guests of honour.

Navantia said the next phases will be harbour tests and sea trials, which include diving the submarine up to its rated maximum operating depth. The first sea trials are scheduled for early 2022 and delivery to the Spanish Navy will be in early 2023.

Like its sisters, the future Isaac Peral will have an LOA of 80.8 metres, a hull diameter of 7.3 metres, a submerged displacement of approximately 3,000 tonnes, and air-independent propulsion (AIP), which will supply the boat with electrical power at any depth so that it can remain underwater for longer periods.

The first S-80-class submarine is the fourth Spanish Navy vessel to be named after Isaac Peral, a Spanish naval officer and engineer credited with designing the first successful electric-powered submarine in 1889.