The event was led by Spain’s Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, and the ship’s sponsor was Isabel López, wife of the Chief of Defence, Admiral Teodoro López Calderón. The ceremony took place beside the outfitting facility, marking the final stage before the vessel is launched into the water via floating dock in the coming weeks.
Once afloat, the S-82 will begin harbour trials followed by sea trials, including navigation on the surface and diving to maximum depth. These steps are part of the S-80 programme, considered essential for Spain’s defence capabilities and industrial independence.
Navantia’s Director of Submarine Business, Agustín Alvarez, welcomed attendees and expressed appreciation for the contributions of Navantia’s workers and partner industries. Gonzalo Mateo-Guerrero, Navantia’s Chief Operations Officer, said, “The S-80 programme is a direct contribution to defence, sovereignty, and the international projection of our industry. We are honoured to continue building capabilities that strengthen the security of Spain and our allies.”
He added, “It has industrial, strategic, commercial, and defence significance. Industrially, it drives the modernisation of processes and technologies; strategically, it provides a technological advantage, reinforcing national security and sovereignty; commercially, it opens export opportunities; and in terms of defence, it contributes to the protection of national interests.”
The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral General Antonio Piñeiro Sánchez, underlined the submarine’s value: “The submarine is the ultimate deterrent: discreet and lethal. Its mere presence contributes to sea control and denies the opponent freedom of manoeuvre.”
In her closing remarks, Defence Minister Margarita Robles stated, “This programme is the continuation of a path of success, hard work, progress, and future — aimed at strengthening our Navy, Cartagena, the Region of Murcia, and, above all, Spain.” Isabel López, the ship’s sponsor, said she felt “gratitude and emotion, as well as joy at taking part in a ceremony that marks a historic milestone for Cartagena.”
The S-82 is named after Narciso Monturiol Estarriol, a 19th-century Spanish engineer, inventor of the ‘Ictíneo’ submarine and pioneer in underwater navigation. In 1859, he demonstrated his submarine’s capability to remain submerged for over two hours at a depth of 20 metres.
S-80 submarines measure 80.8 metres in length, 7.3 metres in diameter, and displace around 3,000 tonnes when submerged. They feature an atmosphere-independent propulsion system, BEST-AIP, enabling them to stay underwater for weeks without surfacing, significantly enhancing stealth.
The programme involves over 100 partner companies and supports more than 6,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs. It also contributes more than €250 million annually to Spain’s GDP.
