According to information published by the Spanish MoD on November 30, 2023, the ceremony at the Cartagena Naval Base, graced by Defense Minister Margarita Robles and Admiral General Antonio Piñeiro, marked a key milestone for the Spanish Navy with the delivery of the 'Isaac Peral' (S-81) submarine.
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S-80 Plus-class submarine Isaac Peral. (Picture source: Navantia)
The event, which celebrated the completion of the submarine built by Navantia, was attended by the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, alongside the Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy, Admiral General Antonio Piñeiro, among other civilian and military authorities.
The delivery process began with the signing of the official document from Navantia to the Ministry of Defense, subsequently handed over to the Spanish Navy. Lieutenant Commander Manuel Corral was then appointed as the commanding officer of the submarine. The ceremony included the raising of the Spanish flag, the singing of the Navy’s anthem, and a commemorative photo with the submarine's inaugural crew.
This delivery symbolizes a proud and significant moment in the history of the Spanish Navy and its Submarine Service. It reflects over a century of experience in submarine operations and assures the continuation of the Navy's Submarine Service through the S-80 program.
Technical data
The submarine, when submerged, displaces 2,965 tons (2,918 long tons). Its overall length is 81.05 meters (265 feet 11 inches), and it has a beam measuring 11.68 meters (38 feet 4 inches). The submarine's draught is recorded at 7.3 meters (23 feet 11 inches).
The Isaac Peral is equipped with a single shaft ethanol-air independent propulsion (AIP) system. This includes three bio-ethanol engines, each capable of 1,200 kW, along with a 3,500 kW electric motor, and an AIP fuel cell unit that generates 300 kW. It also features Vulkan couplings RATO-S G-561W with a torque of 280 kN·m.
The submarine's operational speed is 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) when surfaced and increases to 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph) while submerged. It has an impressive range of 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) and can remain submerged for 30 to 55 days.
The Isaac Peral is capable of reaching a test depth of 460 meters (1,510 feet). It can accommodate a crew of 32, with additional space for 8 troops. Its armament includes six 533 mm (21.0 inch) torpedo tubes, which are equipped with DM2A4 torpedoes and Harpoon missiles, specifically the UGM-84 Sub-Harpoon block II.
