Page 20 - ADT AUG - OCT 2024 Digital Magazine | GBP

Navantia would base its P75(I) collaboration with Lockheed Martin,
submarine offering on its existing
S80 class of submarines, the first
of which was launched in 2021.
Navantia commissioned the S-81
“Isaac Peral” submarine to the
Spanish Navy in the Naval Base
in Cartagena in November 2023.
“The S-80 Program represents a
substantial technological leap for- advanced NATO conventional sub-
ward compared to its predecessor,
the S-70. It boasts an Integrated
Platform Control System and a
Combat System which results
in a high degree of automation,
significantly reducing the number
of people required to operate the
submarine. This project has been
the biggest challenge for Spanish
shipbuilding to date,” the Spanish
Navy announced following the
commissioning of the Isaac Peral.
The Isaac Peral is the first of four
S-80 class submarines that will be
acquired by the Spanish Navy and
S-82 is nearing completion while
S-83 and S-84 are in an advanced
phase of construction.
S-80 class submarines are fitted
with Navantia’s BEST-AIP, an
atmosphere-independent propul-
sion system based on bio-ethanol
reforming technology, which sup-
plies the ship with electrical power
at any depth so that it can remain
underwater for weeks. The AIP
will be installed on S-83 and S-84
and will be incorporated into the
first two submarines of the series
in their first overhaul. The highly
automated S-80 submarines can
be operated by a reduced crew of
only 32 people without reducing its
capabilities and also has space for
eight extra berths for additionally
embarked personnel.
The submarine features an inte-
grated combat system and platform
control system developed by
Navantia Sistemas, which is prob-
ably the most advanced in the
market, while its combat system
core has been developed in
20 | AUGUST - OCTOBER 2024
South Korea to fully design, build,
who also supplies the sonar suite. and deliver a submarine. This was
The submarines has the capacity followed by the Korea Submarine-
to launch torpedoes, anti-surface III (KSS-III). South Korea is now
missiles, and tactical land attack the world’s fifth-largest submarine
missiles. It can reach underwater exporter and successfully com-
speeds of more than 19 knots, pleted a Indonesian submarine
and dive to depth of over 300 m. overhaul project in 2004 and
The S-80 class, one of the most winning a bid deliver three new
Indonesian Navy submarines in
marines, is capable of carrying out 2021.
a wide range of missions, including
anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine
warfare, intelligence gathering and The South Korean shipbuilder HD
surveillance among others. Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) is
on track to deliver the Philippine’s
Apart from S-80 class, Navantia Navy’s first guided missile corvette
had also been involved in design on schedule next year. The BRP
and construction of Scorpéne class Miguel Malvar is slated to undergo
of submarines together with DCNS sea trials and outfitting before being
(Now Naval Group) of France, delivered to the Philippine Navy in
which have been exported to Chile 2025. The second warship is slated
and Malaysia in addition to India. for delivery in 2026. The Philippines
Department of National Defence
Philippines in the Mix (DND) had inked a PHP 28 Billion
contract with HHI for the acquisi-
The Philippines has been eyeing tion of two brand new corvettes for
the procurement of a conventional the Philippine Navy in December
diesel-electric submarines for the 2021. The launching ceremony of
navy, for quite sometime now. Late BRP Miguel Malvar, the first guided
last year, it was confirmed that the missile corvette took place this
Philippines was moving ahead with June in the presence of Philippine
the procurement of two conven- Secretary of National Defence
tional diesel-electric submarines, (SND) Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. at
which could cost up to US$1.2
billion. The acquisition process is the HHI shipyard in Ulsan, South
expected to be concluded before Korea. “We made a special effort
2028. Building submarine capability to attend the launching of BRP
is an expensive and time consum- Miguel Malvar to show our commit-
ing proposition but will dramatically ment to work with the government
upgrade the Philippines defensive of the Republic of Korea towards
posture and its ability to protect its ensuring a principled peace in the
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Indo-Pacific area,” Teodoro Jr. said.
The South Korean shipbuilders HD A state-of-the-art surface combatant
Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) measuring 118.4 meters in length
and Hanwha Ocean are eyeing the and 14.9 meters in breadth, BRP
Philippine requirement closely. Miguel Malvar will have a cruising
speed of 15 knots (approx 28 km/h)
and a range of 4,500 nautical miles
Hanwha Ocean built the first (8,330 km). It will be equipped with
Korea Submarine-I (KSS-I) class advanced weapon systems such as
submarines in the late 1980s, anti-ship missiles, Vertical Launch
subsequently participating in the Systems, and a 3D AESA radar.
Korea Submarine-II (KSS-II) proj- The warship is named in honour of
ect. The first KSS-II submarine was the Philippine independence activist
delivered in August 2021, making and revolutionary General Miguel
Hanwha Ocean the first company in Malvar..
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