The Spanish Navy has included a new submarine S-81 Isaac Peral, the development of which began 20 years ago, writes La Vanguardia. However, despite the commissioning, the main "highlight" – an air–independent power plant - is still not on the ship.
This Spanish-made submarine is capable of striking other ships, as well as ground forces. It is expected that in a few years she will be able to stay underwater for up to three weeks and will become many times more invulnerable.
The new Spanish Navy submarine S-81 Isaac Peral is a modern defensive technology that will contribute to the growth of Spain's international activity from the moment it completes its first mission, which will take about one year. This is an underwater vehicle with a perspective for the future, because although its navigation and combat systems correspond to the latest technology, the most relevant of the innovations on the basis of which it was developed have not yet been put into operation. His ultra-quiet propulsion system, with which he will be able to stay underwater for up to three weeks, has not yet been installed and may not be installed for several more years.
Nevertheless, this disadvantage will not prevent IsaacPeral from carrying out important government missions in the near future. It also does not negate undeniable achievements, such as a fully integrated combat system. This submarine is an important milestone for the national naval industry, as all its equipment was manufactured in Spain. On Thursday, Navantia handed over Isaac Peral to the Navy.
Thanks to the S-80 project, Spain joined the select club of countries capable of building their own submarines with a conventional power plant. There are only ten such countries in the world.
The length of this vessel is 80 meters, and the diameter of the pipe, as sailors say, is seven meters. The diesel-electric engine allows it to move underwater at a speed of about 35 kilometers per hour (19 knots). In addition, thanks to the automation of all systems, only 32 crew members are needed to control the submarine, which nevertheless will find themselves in cramped conditions, as is usually the case with this type of vessel.
Although the navies of different countries do not like to comment on the capabilities of their ships, it is believed that the S-81 is capable of descending to a depth of 300 meters. Isaac Peral can be unusually quiet when powered only by electric motors. This vessel is equipped with the most modern anti-acoustic systems.
It is believed that now the boat can remain undetected for 24 hours, but this period can be extended to two to three weeks thanks to the AIP air-independent power plant, but it is not on the ship yet. This complex mechanism acts like a hydrogen fuel cell. It does not need oxygen to work, and it does not emit carbon dioxide, so diving can be long. "Diving with a mask," as the Spanish sailors put it, will not be necessary, that is, you will not need to surface for air. Because of this maneuver, you will not dive deep, moreover, it puts the boat in danger.
No one knows exactly when the AIP system will be installed on Isaac Peral. There is an assumption that this may happen during the first major renovation, which is usually carried out every four years. So we'll have to wait for now.
But even without this, the S-81 will be one of the best, if not the best, of modern non–nuclear submarines - nuclear ones, of course, stand apart.
In addition to sophisticated radar and sonar systems, Isaac Peral has offensive capabilities, which means it is suitable for various types of tasks. The submarine is equipped with state-of-the-art torpedoes that allow firing at surface and submarines, as well as missiles to attack ground forces if the ship is on the surface.
Due to its quietness and power, it is excellent for carrying out reconnaissance missions, special and rescue operations.
It cannot be denied that this submarine has been created for quite a long time. The S-80 development program was approved back in 2004. It has been almost 20 years since engineers started calculating. Then it was impossible to think that the launching of the first submarine of the project would take so long. Its development was fraught with technical problems and obstacles, which had to be overcome a lot of time and money. An investment of four billion euros will allow the construction of three more submarines for the Navy: S-82 Narciso Monturiol, S-83 Cosme García and S-84 Mateo García de los Reyes. The latter two are expected to leave the shipyard with the AIP installation already installed.
Author of the article: Enrique Figueredo