New Spanish S-82 Submarine Ready to Begin Port and Sea Trials After Float-Out.

Spanish shipbuilder Navantia announced on its official X account on November 17, 2025, that the S-82 Narciso Monturiol, the second S-80 Plus-class submarine, is now floating in Cartagena and preparing for trials. This milestone marks a major step in Spain’s long-running effort to field a modern undersea fleet.

On November 17, 2025, the Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Navantia announced that the S-82 Narciso Monturiol entered the water at Cartagena, moving the program from shipyard construction to full testing. The company plans to begin harbor trials soon, then gradually transition to sea trials once they complete safety and systems checks. Spanish Navy officials call the S-80 Plus class a critical leap in range, endurance, and mission flexibility, a capability Madrid aims to restore after years of delays and redesigns.
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Spain’s second S-80 Plus-class submarine, S-82 Narciso Monturiol, afloat at Navantia’s Cartagena shipyard on November 17, 2025, as it prepares to begin harbour and sea trials ahead of delivery to the Spanish Navy. (Picture source: Navantia)

The S-80 program began in 2004, when the Spanish Ministry of Defense awarded Navantia a contract to design and build four air-independent propulsion (AIP) conventional attack submarines. The program aims to replace the aging Galerna-class (Agosta-class) fleet with a new class of submarines that conduct long-duration submerged missions, contribute to NATO and EU maritime operations, and reinforce Spain’s sovereign ability to project power and gather strategic intelligence across the Atlantic and Mediterranean theatres.

Originally budgeted at around €2.1 billion, the program has grown in cost and complexity over the years, with current estimates surpassing €4 billion for the entire series of four submarines: S-81 Isaac Peral, S-82 Narciso Monturiol, S-83 Cosme García, and S-84 Mateo García de los Reyes. The Spanish Navy is delivering these boats in phases through the end of this decade. Delays stemmed largely from a 2013 design fault, which caused excess weight and prevented safe resurfacing. This setback forced engineers to comprehensively redesign the submarines with support from U.S.-based General Dynamics Electric Boat, which contributed new expertise but also extended delivery timelines years beyond the original target.

Now back on track, the S-80 program drives Spain's naval modernization and industrial strategy. The submarine’s development has catalyzed a robust national defense-industrial base, engaging over 100 Spanish firms and directly employing more than 6,000 people. Navantia states that the program contributes approximately €250 million annually to Spain’s GDP and sees it as a strategic tool for positioning Spain among the few nations capable of designing and constructing modern submarines from scratch.

The S-80 Plus class ranks among the most advanced non-nuclear submarines in Europe. Each boat measures 80.8 meters in length, has a 7.3-meter beam, and displaces approximately 3,000 tons when submerged. The S-80’s signature feature is its third-generation AIP system, which relies on bioethanol reformers and fuel cell stacks. This system enables the submarines to remain submerged for up to 21 days without snorkeling, offering a decisive advantage in high-threat areas where avoiding detection is critical. However, Navantia plans to deliver only the third and fourth boats (S-83 and S-84) with fully integrated AIP systems from the outset. According to Navantia’s current schedule, they will retrofit S-81 and S-82 with AIP modules after delivery.

The class also features a state-of-the-art combat management system developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin. This system integrates sonar, electronic warfare, periscopic sensors, navigation, and weapons control into a unified command suite. The S-80 carries up to 18 weapons, including heavyweight torpedoes, naval mines, and UGM-84 Sub-Harpoon anti-ship missiles, which it launches through six 533 mm tubes.

Sources close to the Cartagena shipyard report that S-82 has completed internal power-up and verification of critical systems. Dockside trials in December will evaluate propulsion, electrical systems, damage control protocols, and platform stability. The team will begin sea trials in spring 2026, testing static and dynamic diving, propulsion endurance, underwater maneuverability, acoustic signature, and live weapon performance. Navantia tentatively plans to deliver the submarine to the Spanish Navy in late 2026 or early 2027.

Strategically, the S-80 program restores Spain’s undersea warfare capabilities and projects Navantia as a competitive player in the global submarine market. Export campaigns are already under evaluation, with India, the Philippines, and several NATO partners expressing interest. If S-82’s trial phase succeeds, it could position the S-80 Plus as a viable alternative to French, German, or South Korean diesel-electric designs.

The float-out of S-82 Narciso Monturiol goes beyond a technical milestone. It reflects the resilience of Spanish naval engineering and answers the growing demand among Western navies for long-endurance, stealth-centric submarines. For the Spanish Navy, this event reaffirms the nation’s place among the handful of countries that possess a sovereign submarine design and construction capability.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.