A submarine’s pressure hull only faces its real test underwater. Navantia passed that test on Tuesday with the S82 Narciso Monturiol, the second ship of the S80 class next generation attack submarine programme. The vessel completed its first static dive without any issues at the La Algameca Naval Base off Cartagena.
According to Navantia’s official statement on 30 July 2026, the dive was carried out in accordance with the safety milestones set for the submarine’s trial programme. The aim of the test was to verify the hull’s behaviour underwater, the ballast tank flooding process and the platform’s static balance. This phase represents a technical threshold that paves the way for the underwater navigation trials S82 will undergo in the next step.
After S82 Narciso Monturiol
Alongside progress on S82’s test schedule, construction work on the other vessels in the series continues without interruption. According to Navantia’s statement, the diesel engine system consisting of three generator sets was integrated into the third ship of the series, S83 Cosme García, during July. These generator sets, together with the main electric motor and the Air Independent Propulsion system, make up the propulsion architecture of the S80 class submarines. (You can read our detailed report on the AIP system tests for S83 Cosme García here.)
Navantia Chairman Ricardo Domínguez stated that the programme is progressing according to the agreed schedule and that the second submarine of the series will be delivered soon. Domínguez emphasised that the cooperation between the Ministry of Defence, the Spanish Navy and Navantia has made significant contributions to Spain’s strategic autonomy in its submarine fleet and to the country’s industrial system.
Next Phase for S82 Narciso Monturiol: Underwater Navigation Trials
Following the completion of the first static dive, S82 Narciso Monturiol is preparing to move into the underwater navigation trials phase, as stated by Navantia. This transition represents the next critical step in which the vessel’s operational reliability will be tested in the field.
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Source: C4Defence-Navantia
