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Date Published: 01/12/2025

Cartagena's S-81 submarine returns home after first NATO mission

The Cartagena-made submarine was on a fact-finding mission of the Mediterranean

Cartagena’s pride and joy, the S-81 Isaac Peral submarine, returned home after completing its first international operational mission with NATO. The S-81 was built in the Navantia shipyard in Cartagena Port and is the first in a new generation of modern submarines. It is one of the greatest defence and technological achievements in recent decades, not just for the Region of Murcia, but for Spain as a whole.

During its first mission, the vessel spent 46 days deployed as part of Operation Sea Guardian, a maritime security mission that focuses on gathering intelligence and combating terrorism across the Mediterranean. According to Spain’s Ministry of Defence, the submarine logged 840 hours submerged and travelled more than 5,050 nautical miles during the deployment. The mission also included a significant test called an ‘endurance cruise’, which is carried out to test the performance of the Navy’s newest submarines.

The S-81 submarine is the first of the S-80 Plus series, which will eventually include four submarines overall. They are kitted out with cutting-edge technology, giving them advanced capabilities, making them perfect for missions like Operation Sea Guard. The technology includes modern sensors, which allow the S-81 to monitor large areas of the sea without being detected.

The S-81 Isaac Peral is commanded by Corvette Captain Fernando Clavijo and crew. They were welcomed back to Cartagena by family and friends as well as members of the Spanish Navy Submarine Flotilla and the submarine service. They all gathered at the port to greet the crew and celebrate their safe return.

This deployment was the first time the S-81 operated under NATO’s operational control. Thanks to the advanced technology, the submarine carried out surveillance and collected important data on the mission. It remained at periscope depth to maximise intelligence gathering.

The submarine made three international stopovers: Augusta in Sicily, Alexandria in Egypt and Souda Bay in Crete before making its way back to Spain.

In its final few days at sea, the S-81 took part in an anti-submarine warfare exercise, MARBORÁN, before finally arriving back to a warm welcome in Cartagena Port.

Images: Facebook/Armada

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