Royal House makes King Felipe's happy news official: the time has come

King Felipe VI embarked on a visit of great symbolism this Monday to the Military Arsenal of Cartagena, where a very special protagonist awaited him: the submarine Isaac Peral S-81. Casa Real has made this happy news official, marking a turning point in the technological and strategic development of the Spanish Navy.

The S-81 Isaac Peral submarine, which was sponsored by Princess Leonor in 2021, becomes the center of attention. What does this visit mean for King Felipe VI, and why does the submarine symbolize so much in terms of innovation and national pride?

Casa Real makes King Felipe's visit to the Military Arsenal of Cartagena official

King Felipe wanted to see the result of years of effort, investment, and joint work between public institutions and the national industry. The meeting took place in a strategically valuable location, the Military Arsenal of Cartagena. There, the monarch was able to closely observe the capabilities of the Isaac Peral S-81 submarine, a true technological jewel developed entirely in our country.

Felipe VI was received with military honors and toured the facilities accompanied by high-ranking Navy officials and S-80 program leaders. During the day, he was able to learn not only about the technical aspects of the S-81 but also about the rigorous training, certification, and testing process carried out by the submarine's crew.

The event represents a reaffirmation of the Crown's support for innovation and defense projects, key sectors for technological sovereignty. It is no coincidence that the king chose this moment and place. The S-81 is not just any submarine but the first in a series that places Spain in the elite of military naval construction.

King Felipe's involvement in this event is not merely protocolary. His presence serves as institutional backing for a generation of engineers, sailors, and technicians who have turned an ambitious dream into a tangible reality.

Besides his institutional interest, the meeting holds very powerful symbolic value. Since Princess Leonor sponsored the S-81 in 2021, the Royal Family's involvement in the S-80 program has been constant. Today's event, therefore, represents a generational continuity in the commitment to the country's major advancements.

The S-80 project: a titanic work of engineering and strategic vision

To understand the scope of this milestone, it is essential to review the history and significance of the S-80 program. Spain now forms part of a select group of countries capable of designing and building submarines. This achievement was highlighted in 2023 by the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, who presided over the S-81 delivery ceremony and did not hesitate to describe it as "a historic milestone."

The submarine is a highly complex system, designed to operate in one of the most hostile and demanding environments: the seabed. Therefore, it requires cutting-edge knowledge in multiple disciplines, from naval engineering to the most advanced electronics. In this sense, the S-80 program is the greatest technological and industrial challenge faced by national defense in its entire history.

With a length of 265 ft. (80.8 meters), a diameter of 24 ft. (7.3 meters), and nearly 3,000 tons (2,722 metric tons) of displacement, the S-81 ranks among the most advanced submarines in all of NATO. Its high automation allows it to operate with only 32 crew members, a notably reduced number for a system of such magnitude. It is prepared to carry out missions as varied as surface and submarine attacks, special operations, intelligence gathering, and emergency evacuations.

It is worth remembering that the program doesn't stop at the S-81. Three other submarines are underway, each named after historical figures linked to submarine navigation. The S-82 'Narciso Monturiol,' the S-83 'Cosme García,' and the S-84 'Mateo García de los Reyes.'

King Felipe's visit to the Isaac Peral S-81 submarine marks a turning point in institutional support for military technological innovation. Casa Real shows, once again, its commitment to advancements that strengthen Spain's position in the world. Will this be the beginning of a new era of royal presence in the country's major strategic projects?