Navantia Floats "S-82 Narciso Monturiol”, Second of the S-80 Class Submarines for Spanish Navy

On 17 November 2025, Spain’s state-owned shipbuilder Navantia announced the successful floating of the submarine S-82 Narciso Monturiol, the second vessel in the S-80 class (also referred to as S-80 Plus) series being built for the Spanish Navy under a national submarine modernisation programme. The S-80 class is part of a multi-billion-euro Spanish defence acquisition deal intended to deliver four new-generation conventional submarines to replace the aging S-70 fleet.

Float-out and upcoming trials

According to the press release issued by Navantia, the S-82 submarine was carefully manoeuvred from its construction berth into the water using a floating dock over several hours. This operation required a series of critical checks and tasks both inside and outside the hull to ensure that the transition to floating status was achieved safely and securely. Once afloat, the submarine will enter into harbour trials, where key systems—such as fuel loading, battery charging, and propulsion tests while moored—will be verified. After these harbour-based milestones are completed, the vessel will move on to sea trials, including navigation and diving tests, ahead of final delivery to the Spanish Navy.

Programme scope, industrial role, and the national deal

The S-80 programme is Spain’s largest-ever submarine development effort, structured as a long-term contract between the Spanish Ministry of Defence and Navantia. The deal covers the design, construction, integration, testing, and delivery of four advanced conventional (non-nuclear) submarines: S-81, S-82, S-83, and S-84.

Navantia also holds the role of Technical Design Authority, making this the first time Spain has independently designed and built a full-scale submarine class. With the S-82 now afloat, the release of the first submarine (S-81) and the ongoing construction of the remaining units underline Spain’s strategic goal of maintaining a sovereign submarine-building capability.

Specifications of the S-80 class

The S-80 class subs represent a modern conventional submarine design with a number of advanced features. Key specifications include:

• Overall length: approximately 81 m

• Hull diameter: about 7.30 m

• Submerged displacement: around 2,965 t

• Endurance: capable of remaining submerged for 50–60 days

• Maximum submerged speed: in excess of 19 knots

• Crew accommodation: around 32 crew members plus additional capacity for special forces

Further technological features include an integrated platform control system, low acoustic and magnetic signatures, and a design approaching the endurance and stealth characteristics of nuclear-powered submarines, despite being conventionally powered.

Significance and outlook

The floating of the Narciso Monturiol (S-82) is a visible demonstration of the programme advancing into its next phase. Harbour trials will now test critical safety and operational systems in a controlled environment, followed by sea trials that will push the submarine into its full mission envelope—navigation, diving, endurance, and weapons/sensor integration. Once delivered, S-82 will join S-81 in providing the Spanish Navy with enhanced submarine capability in the sub-surface domain.

From an industrial perspective, the event reinforces Navantia’s position as a submarine builder and design authority, strengthening Spain’s ambitions to remain a competitive player in global defence markets. The national submarine procurement deal also ensures long-term employment, technological growth, and export prospects.

In the coming months, attention will focus on how smoothly the harbour trials proceed and how the subsequent sea trials perform against schedule and technical benchmarks. The successful commissioning of S-82 will set the tone for the remaining two units in the class and determine whether the programme meets its timetable and performance goals.