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Spain S-81 Submarine participates in major naval drills to assess interoperability and combat readiness.
According to information published by Infodefensa on January 20, 205, the Spanish Navy recently conducted a critical joint exercise in the waters near Cartagena, centering on the S-81 Isaac Peral, the first of the S-80 class submarines. As part of its Operational Evaluation, the submarine operated alongside the Almirante Juan de Borbón and Numancia frigates, the Neptuno rescue and salvage ship, and an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter. This exercise is a key step in verifying the submarine’s readiness to meet the Navy’s stringent operational standards while testing its integration with surface and aerial units.
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The S-80 class submarine Isaac Peral. (Picture source: Spanish MoD)
The focus of the exercise was to evaluate the S-81’s ability to operate as part of a larger naval force. During the event, the Numancia deployed training torpedoes from both the ship and the accompanying SH-60B helicopter, showcasing its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities. This tested the submarine’s evasion skills and the effectiveness of collaborative ASW tactics.
The activity provided valuable insights into the operational interplay between the S-81 and its supporting units, including the helicopter’s role in long-range detection and engagement. It also allowed the Navy to assess the submarine’s performance in real-time scenarios, simulating the kinds of challenges it will face during active missions.
The submarine’s air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, a standout feature, uses bioethanol-powered fuel cells to generate electricity while submerged. This allows the S-81 to remain underwater for extended periods without surfacing, a significant advantage for stealth and operational longevity. Although the AIP system will be fully integrated into later iterations, the Isaac Peral is already testing propulsion and endurance parameters.
With a maximum underwater endurance of up to 50 days and a top speed of approximately 20 knots submerged, the S-81 is designed for a wide range of missions, including intelligence gathering, anti-submarine warfare, and the deployment of special operations forces. Its six 533mm torpedo tubes can fire heavyweight torpedoes, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, or deploy mines.
The S-81 and its sister vessels faced numerous delays and technical challenges during development. Originally launched as part of the S-80 program in the early 2000s, the project encountered design flaws, including weight and buoyancy imbalances that required extensive redesigns. These setbacks caused delays and cost overruns. Its successful entry into service will pave the way for the remaining vessels in the S-80 class—S-82 Narciso Monturiol, S-83 Cosme García, and S-84 Mateo García de los Reyes.
Following the Cartagena exercise, the S-81 is set to participate in a live-fire exercise in mid-2025 in the waters off the Canary Islands. This will include the launch of a live torpedo against a decommissioned ship.