Spanish Navy commissions first S-80 Plus-class submarine

The Spanish Navy's first S-80 Plus submarine, Isaac Peral, was commissioned into service on 30 November 2023. (Janes/Kate Tringham)

The Spanish Navy's first new S-80 Plus-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK) has been commissioned into service following the completion of sea acceptance trials.

First-of-class Isaac Peral (S-81) was formally commissioned during a ceremony held at the Spanish Navy's naval base in Cartagena on 30 November.

Isaac Peral is the first of four S-80 Plus-class submarines being built by state-owned shipyard Navantia at its facilities in Cartegena for the Spanish Navy under a contract awarded in 2004. Laid down in 2007 and launched in May 2021 following multiple delays, the lead submarine was put to sea for the first time in May 2022. In early 2023 it moved into final sea acceptance testing, completing its first static dive on 30 March 2023 and its maximum operating depth dive test in October.

The S-80 Plus submarines have an overall length of 80.8 m, a diameter of 7.3 m, and a submerged displacement of around 3,000 tonnes. They operate with a reduced crew of 32 (with eight berths for additional embarked personnel), and have a top speed of 19 kt dived and more than 10 kt surfaced.

The submarines will be equipped with Navantia's new Bio-Ethanol Stealth Technology (BEST) air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, based on bio-ethanol reforming technology, which will enable an endurance of up to three weeks at 4 kt. The AIP system is being introduced from the third-in-class Cosme García (S 83), while the first pair will be retrofitted during major overhauls.