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The
S-80 class (or Isaac Peral class) are AIP (air independent
propulsion) submarines currently under construction for the Spanish
Navy. Four boats have been ordered, three of which are under construction
by Navantia at its yard in Cartagena.
Construction of the submarines had been suspended in early 2013, when
it was found that the first submarine in the series, the Isaac Peral,
was 75 to 100 tons too heavy relative to its length. General Dynamics
Electric Boat was brought in by Navantia through a Foreign Military
Sale in 2013 to tackle the weight distribution issues.
Each submarine has been stretched with a 10 meters ring to better distribute
the weight of the submarine and prevent it from sinking. A pressure
hull ring was inserted into the hull of each submarine. This is a necessary
(and the first) step to correct the "related to weight balance
disparities".
The intended delivery date of the first submarine is 2018.
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Computer
rendering of an S-80 class SSK. Image: Navantia