Navantia Handed Over the S-81`Isaac Peral` Submarine to the SPANISH ARMADA
The commissioning of the Isaac Peral is a significant milestone for the Spanish Navy, as it will help to strengthen the country's naval defense capabilities. The S-80 class, one of the most advanced NATO conventional submarines, is capable of carrying out a wide range of missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering and surveillance among others. They were also designed to incorporate land attack capability in the future.
'Isaac Peral' is the first of four S-80 class submarines. With this program, Spain becomes one of the few countries that can design and build submarines, extremely complex vessels which must operate autonomously for long periods of time in a hostile environment. The S-80 program is the greatest industrial and technological challenge ever faced by the Spanish industry. It is a huge technological leap for Navantia, who has accomplished the building of a submarine based in its own design and takes the role of Technical Design Authority for the Life Cycle Support of the vessels.
Navantia's Chairman, Ricardo Dominguez, addressed guests at the handover ceremony and conveyed his thanks to all stakeholders and suppliers that have supported them from the beginning up until now.
Ricardo Domínguez, Navantia’s President: "It is an honor to be here to attend the ceremony for the handover to the Spanish Navy of the S-81 "Isaac Peral" submarine, the first of the S-80 program. Today is an exciting day for all of us: for the Navantia workforce, for the Spanish Navy, for all of those who are part of the defense industry and for the city of Cartagena. Today, we celebrate the handover of the most modern conventional submarine in the industry today and we are once again demonstrating that our country is at the forefront of technology. Nowadays, only a dozen countries are able to design a submarine and I am pleased to confirm that Spain is among them. The handover of the S-81 "Isaac Peral" submarine to the Spanish Navy is a huge milestone that has behind it collaboration, hope and effort, but, above all, confidence: Confidence that this project could be carried out. Thanks to all the people who took part in the S-81 "Isaac Peral" submarine, to all Navantia workforce and to all our collaborating companies. I once heard that a company is only as great as the people who work in it. I would also like to thank the Spanish Navy and the entire defense industry for their trust and cooperation, as well as the public sector for their support. The handover to the Spanish Navy today is just a sample of what we are able to accomplish. In Navantia’s workshops, we already have the S-82 and the S-83 submarines. This is just the beginning.”
Secretary of State for Defense Spain – Amparo Valcarce García: “This program is expected to generate around 2,500 jobs for Navantia and auxiliary industries, which would rise to 7,000 counting with the whole value chain.”
Amparo Valcarce García, Secretary of State for Defense in Spain also shared her insight at the ceremony. García said that: "It is an honor to be in Cartagena today at the handover ceremony of the S-81 "Isaac Peral" submarine. With the handover of this submarine to the Spanish Navy by Navantia, the investment dream of Spain has been made true. The S-81 "Isaac Peral" is the first one of the four submarines of the S-80 series, one of the most modern and advanced of its kind in the world, with the aim of achieving the modernization of the armed forces and placing the Spanish defense industry among the international leaders. The completion of these four submarines comprising the S-80 series will bring employment, wealth and well-being for the city of Cartagena, then for Murcia Region and finally for Spain as a whole. The S-80 submarine program is an extremely important investment milestone for the Spanish Government, which began financing this project with almost €4 billion in 2018 and is expected to finish it in 2032. This program includes the manufacture of four submarines for the Spanish Navy in Cartagena in order to have the best submarine base in the world. This program is expected to generate around 2,500 jobs for Navantia and auxiliary industries, which would rise to 7,000 counting with the whole value chain. The handover of the S-81 "Isaac Peral" submarine to the Spanish Navy will serve to consolidate the prestige of Navantia and the defense industry, as well as to create jobs and wealth and generate significant returns for Spain".
Antonio Piñeiro Sánchez, Admiral Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy: "Today is an exciting day for all of us: Today we are handing over to the Spanish Navy the S-81 "Isaac Peral" submarine, the first of the four in the S-80 program. We call it "El Deseado" (“The Desired One”), a milestone that allows us to move forward, a vital step to maintain a balanced and efficient fleet. A submarine is a weapon ready to survive in a hostile environment, a diversionary element with offensive power. But, as well as a weapon, it is also a tool for diplomacy.
Spain made a decisive and courageous commitment to create this submarine weapon, through this project that today sees the light of day. The Spanish Navy and Navantia have worked together and with determination so that today we join the select group of countries that are capable of designing a submarine".
Margarita Robles, Defense Minister in Spain: "Today is a crucial day for the Spanish Navy, since today we are taking a step forward. Today is also an important day for Spain, which we aim to become bigger and to have a greater international presence every single day. From now on, this international presence is guaranteed thanks to the handover of the S-81 submarine. Today is a day of excitement and to say “thank you”: In particular, thanks to the city of Cartagena. Mayoress of Cartagena (Noelia Arroyo), thank you very much. Congratulations to Navantia and my thanks to all the workers of Navantia and its auxiliar workforce; thank you. Making Navantia great is making Spain great".
Following the opening speech at the handover ceremony, Navantia and the Directorate General for Armaments and Material of the Ministry of Defense signed the handover and transfer documents.
Lieutenant Commander Manuel Corral was also sworn in as the first commander of the unit over the ship and received the flag in accompany with the ship crews. Then, the flag was raised with the anthem of Spain.
Five out of the 32 crew members are women who will be on duty in the S-81 “ISAAC PERAL”.
