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The Spanish Navy's first two S-80 class submarines, the Isaac Peral and the Narciso Monturiol, made history this Thursday August 27 when they sailed together in the waters off Cartagena for the very first time.

 

The two vessels were seen travelling between Escombreras Island and Cabo Tiñoso, each carrying out its own training and preparation work, and the Navy marked the occasion by sharing images of the pair on its social media channels.

 

The Narciso Monturiol, known as the S-82, has been undergoing sea trials since June 25, a key step before it's officially handed over by state shipbuilder Navantia to the Spanish Navy, expected to take place in the last week of November. Under the command of Lieutenant Commander Damián Niebla, the crew has already reached several important milestones, including the submarine's first static dive and its first voyage underwater, with support from engineers and technicians across various Navantia teams as well as outside companies supplying equipment.

 

Trials have continued through intensive days at sea throughout August, mainly to fine-tune the submarine's control systems, and are set to carry on for another two months, pausing only briefly for adjustments back at the Cartagena dry dock.

 

Meanwhile, the Isaac Peral, known as the S-81, has just marked a year in service after being delivered to the Navy in November 2023. Commanded by Lieutenant Commander Fernando Clavijo, it's now beginning sea trials following a period of scheduled maintenance at the same shipyard, ahead of a new phase of training for upcoming missions.

 

The submarine completed its first deployment as part of NATO's Operation Sea Guardian back in November 2025, spending 46 days at sea, logging 840 hours submerged and covering more than 5,050 nautical miles. It went on to complete a second NATO deployment across the Mediterranean this spring, focused on tackling terrorism and illegal trafficking.

 

The Navy described the sight of both submarines in Cartagena's waters at the same time as a particularly significant symbol of how far its submarine fleet has come.

 

In a press release, it explained that the S-80 class delivers advanced surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence, naval warfare and special operations capabilities, combined with a high level of stealth and endurance, qualities that make submarines one of the most important deterrents any naval force can have. It added that the ability to operate covertly over long periods remains one of the most valuable military assets a submarine brings.

 

Image: Navy