Last Friday, October 3, Cartagena witnessed a milestone for Spanish naval engineering: the Spanish Navy and Navantia completed the float-out of the submarine S-82 “Narciso Monturiol,” the second unit of the S-80 series. The program, entirely designed and built in Spain, is progressing toward its final phase, scheduled for delivery to the Navy in fall 2026, with full operational capability expected by mid-2027.

For over ten years, CT Engineering has been contributing to this program alongside Navantia, bringing expertise in engineering, physical integration, production management, logistics, quality, and lifecycle support for the vessel. The company has been involved in defining structures, ventilation systems, piping, electrical wiring, as well as creating 3D models and manufacturing drawings. Additionally, CT Engineering has contributed to planning and monitoring production processes, coordinating suppliers, and preparing the logistical support that will ensure the submarine’s operational readiness and maintenance throughout its service life.

The S-82 Narciso Monturiol is part of a new generation of submarines designed to operate in both coastal and oceanic missions. Starting with the S-83, the series will incorporate the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, a technology that generates energy at any depth without the need to surface for oxygen. What makes this system particularly innovative is that, unlike other international developments that store hydrogen and oxygen, the Spanish AIP produces hydrogen on board, eliminating the risks and challenges associated with storing these gases.

Thanks to this advancement, the submarines will be able to remain submerged for two to three weeks depending on the mission profile, compared to the approximately 1.5 days for conventional submarines that must surface to recharge batteries.

For CT Engineering, participating in this program is a source of pride. It has not only represented a top-level technical challenge but also an opportunity to strengthen Spain’s technological and industrial capabilities in the naval sector. With over 38 years of experience and 25 years of collaboration with Navantia, we remain committed to innovation and to developing solutions that enable more efficient and competitive technological progress, driving the future of Spanish naval engineering.

If you want to learn more details about the S-80 series, don’t miss our podcast.