A sudden, unexpected trip to Spain—every wanderlust’s dream. But for Neelanjana, it was more than that. She was part of a media team visiting the Navantia Shipyard in Cartagena, home to cutting-edge submarine technology.
Here, she witnessed the demanding construction of the S-83 submarine, equipped with Navantia’s revolutionary Air Independent Propulsion, or AIP system. This is no ordinary submarine. The Spanish Navy’s S80 class represents a technological leap, allowing submarines to stay submerged for up to three weeks—a stark contrast to the mere days offered by traditional diesel-electric designs, the company claimed The AIP system, branded as BEST—Bio-Ethanol Stealth Technology—recharges the submarine’s batteries while it’s submerged, eliminating the need for detectable snorkel maneuvers. Imagine a system that creates hydrogen on demand from bioethanol and combines it with pure oxygen to generate power—all while ensuring stealth and safety.
Navantia’s AIP has undergone testing for over 50,000 hrs and accepted by the Spanish Navy for installation on-board their S80 class of submarines. This accomplishment is a fundamental milestone in the S-80 Programme, unprecedented in the history of shipbuilding in Spain. Navantia’s S80 class has been offered as a base design for India’s ambitious P75(I) conventional submarine program, with Indian major Larsen & Toubro teaming up to compete in a tender to build six submarines The S80’s design advantage?
By the time India’s first submarine rolls out, Spain will have already tested four, providing proven capabilities for India’s naval modernisation. As India seeks to become a net security provider in the Indian Ocean, decisions like building state-of-the-art submarines under the P75(I) programmes will shape the future of its naval capabilities. With competition fierce and technology advancing rapidly, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Back in Madrid, there was just enough time to soak in the sights before heading home. But the trip wasn’t just about Spain’s history—it was about the future.
