The S-82 ‘Narciso Monturiol’ submarine, second of the series of four that Navantia is building for the Spanish Navy, has successfully accomplished its first safety milestone: the “power up” of the equipment.
The “power up” consists of the start-up of the main and emergency electrical distribution networks. From the completion of this milestone, the various equipment can be safely powered from their distribution panel.
The “power up” is the first safety milestone planned within the Safety Milestones Management Plan of the S-80 Program, which aims to establish a framework that demonstrates that the construction and testing process of the S-80 Program submarines is carried out in a way that ensures the lowest possible risk level.
READ: COVER STORY – Navantia’s S-80
More than 1,500 harbour tests
As a complement to the safety milestone, the first Harbour Acceptance Tests of the S-82 ‘Narciso Monturiol’ submarine have been carried out, as part of a program that includes more than 1,500 verifications, including acceptance and builder tests.
These milestones show the satisfactory advance of the S-80 program, with the first submarine already in service for the Spanish Navy, and the second one accomplishing these tests prior to its launching, scheduled for next summer.
The S-80 submarines have a total length of 80.8 meters, a diameter of 7.3 meters, and a submerged displacement of around 3,000 tons. Among their technological contributions are the combat and platform control system from Navantia Sistemas, and a revolutionary anaerobic propulsion system developed by Navantia that provides great stealth in immersion, called BEST-AIP. This air-independent propulsion system allows it to obtain electrical energy from fuel cells using technology from the aerospace sector, at any depth. Thus, it can remain submerged for weeks without surfacing, which improves its discretion, the main attribute of a submarine.
The S-80s are the most advanced conventional (non-nuclear) submarines in operation worldwide and has garnered significant interest from several navies, including the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).
Navantia’s active production line will ensure the delivery the first operational submarine to the RCN by 2033, with two more submarines delivered by 2037, ahead of Canadian Patrol Submarine Program (CPSP) timelines. This de-risked and accelerated delivery schedule highlights Spain’s whole-of-nation commitment, including its government, its navy, and Navantia. As a state-owned shipbuilder with proven international naval program experience, Navantia enables Canada to confidently procure world-leading submarine capabilities with a reliable delivery schedule and cost certainty. The Spanish Navy is also ready to serve as the RCN’s partner-navy for the S-80s, offering early opportunities for training and operational exchanges, as well as continuous capability insertion to enhance the S-80’s prowess. This strong navy-to-navy relationship will further solidify the strategic partnership between Canada and Spain, contributing to both Canada’s naval strength and NATO’s collective defence.
The Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) four Victoria-class submarines are showing their age, although they are expected to remain in service well into the 2030s. Mindful that the Canadian procurement process is typically a long and arduous process, the Department of National Defence (DND) has created the CPSP – Canadian Patrol Submarine Project to look into replacements for the existing sub fleet.
1 thought on “NAVANTIA´s second S-80 submarine starts tests and safety milestones”
How about we stop studying, have the Navy decide within 6 months, on a Submarine make selection of options, and sign on the dotted line, with Canadian shipyards participating in construction / technology transfer? We need capability sooner than 2033. Much sooner.
Aluminium and steel alloys made in Canada should be used for the superstructure, providing jobs and using raw materials sourced in Canada. Add in our own technologies for operations and weapons systems, including AI, and the capability vs cost equation would be quite favourable. Enough study. Put a marker buoy in the seabed and get this project going!
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