The Spanish navy is preparing to test the first submarine of the S-80 project. Yesterday, November 19, the portal laverdad.es He reported that the first launch of diesel engines of the S-81 Isaac Peral submarine took place at the Cartagena shipyard.
Testing of the power plant is the final stage of preparing the submarine for mooring tests. It is planned that in the near future batteries will be charged and electrical systems tested on the submarine, after which Isaac Peral will be able to make the first dives.
Starting the engines on the S-81 Isaac Peral submarine
Image source: laverdad.es
The S-80 project is a "long-term construction" — it was launched back in 1991, and the contract for the construction of four submarines with the Izar association (now Navantia) was signed in 2004. Due to a number of problems, the project required changes and additional cash injections, which led to a significant delay in the construction of submarines. Isaac Peral was planned to be transferred to the fleet back in 2011, and the design cost of building four submarines increased from €1.8 billion to €4 billion.
The submarines of the S-80 project are equipped with air-independent power plants, which will allow them to "stay underwater for weeks." The displacement of the submarines is 3000 tons, length - 80.8 m, diameter - 7.3 m. Isaac Peral will be tested in 2022, and a year later will be transferred to the fleet. The last of the submarines planned for construction is planned to be transferred to the Spanish Navy by 2028. The first two submarines will be built using a classic diesel-electric power plant, but will receive an air-independent one during subsequent maintenance, while the third and fourth will be launched with a new generation engine.
