First Spanish S-80 Plus submarine completes first static dive

The Spanish Navy's first S-81 Plus submarine, Isaac Peral , conducted its first static dive test on 30 March 2023. (Navantia)

The Spanish Navy's first new S-80 Plus diesel-electric submarine (SSK) has achieved another milestone with the completion of its first static dive test.

First-of-class Isaac Peral (S-81) conducted its first static immersion in the waters of La Algameca naval station, opposite the Spanish Navy's diving centre in Cartagena, on 30 March. The test follows the successful completion of surface navigation trials in mid-2022.

Isaac Peral's sea acceptance tests are expected to be completed by mid-2023, when the boat will be handed over to the Spanish Navy.

Isaac Peral is one of four S-80 Plus submarines being built by Navantia for the Spanish Navy under a contract awarded in 2004. Laid down at Navantia's facilities in Cartagena in 2007 and launched in 2021 following multiple delays, the lead submarine was finally put to sea for the first time in May 2022.

Meanwhile, construction work on second-in-class Narciso de Monturiol (S-82) is well under way, and the hull sections are planned to be welded together during 2023.

Under current planning, Narciso de Monturiol is expected to be delivered in 2024, Cosme García (S-83) around early 2026, and Mateo García de los Reyes (S-84) around mid-2027.