The joint activity brings together the first two vessels in Spain’s new generation of conventionally powered submarines as the S-80 programme moves beyond the introduction of its lead boat.
The Narciso Monturiol began sea trials in late June and completed its first static dive near La Algameca Naval Station in July.
⚓Por primera vez, los dos primeros submarinos de la clase S80 salen juntos a la mar.
🎯El `Isaac Peral´ y el `Narciso Monturiol´ suponen un paso más en la autonomía estratégica y garantizan el poder de disuasión de la Armada. pic.twitter.com/Tefn157yCn
— Armada (@Armada_esp) August 27, 2026
Those trials are intended to confirm the performance of the platform and its systems before the submarine formally enters service with the Spanish Navy.
The S-80 class is designed for surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, naval warfare and special operations, with the stealth and endurance needed for extended covert missions.
The programme gives Spain a domestically designed and built advanced submarine capability, strengthening its autonomy in one of the defence industry’s most technically demanding sectors.
The Isaac Peral was delivered to the Spanish Navy in November 2023, making Spain one of a limited number of countries able to design and build advanced conventional submarines.
The Navy said the S-81’s first deployment with NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian lasted 46 days, during which the vessel spent 840 hours submerged and covered more than 5,050 nautical miles.
In February, the submarine completed a second period of integration with NATO forces during Operation Noble Shield, expanding its participation in allied maritime operations.
According to the submarine’s commanding officer, Lieutenant-Commander Fernando Clavijo Rey-Stolle, the Isaac Peral offers “improved intelligence-gathering capabilities compared to the previous class, along with state-of-the-art equipment that allows us to cooperate with other units at greater distances and with greater information accuracy.”
