22 huhti 2021

Babcock proud to a play key role in Spanish S-80 first of class submarine rollout

Babcock International, the Aerospace, Defence and Security Company, has supported the delivery of a significant milestone for the Armada Española (Spanish Navy), with its customer Navantia unveiling the first in class S-80 submarine in Cartagena Spain.

The S-80 programme is the first modern submarine of Spanish design and will deliver a state of the art underwater capability to the Armada Española. Babcock plays an integral role on the platform, bringing to bear our extensive experience and world leading proprietary technology to deliver the Weapon Handling and Discharge Equipment (WHDE) and Acoustic Countermeasures Launchers (ACM) for the four boat class.

Throughout design and build stages Babcock developed a bespoke Spanish supply chain to manufacture a significant amount of equipment for the S-80. The weapon tube Outboard Lengths and the Weapon Embarkation Equipment were the largest pieces of equipment manufactured in-country. Babcock will continue to manufacture a significant amount of equipment in Spain for the remaining boats on the programme.

Richard Drake, Managing Director Babcock Defence Systems Technology said: “We are absolutely delighted to support the delivery of a cutting edge sovereign submarine capability for Spain. Congratulations to Navantia and all industry partners involved in today’s rollout of the first in class, a truly remarkable day in which many years of hard work throughout the supply chain has come to fruition.”

“Babcock’s work on the S-80 class is a testament to our expertise in Weapons Handling and Launch systems and underlines our global naval design, build, commissioning and support capability for submarines. We look forward to continuing the build and commissioning work on the next three boats, and supporting successful Harbour Acceptance Trials and Sea Acceptance Trials before Boat 1 is formally commissioned into the Spanish Navy.”

The first submarine which was unveiled today, to be named Isaac Peral (S-81), is expected to be delivered to the Armada Española in 2022. This will be followed by the Nariso Monturiol (S-82), Cosme Garcia (S-83), and Matero Garcia de los Reyes (S-84).