Delays disrupt Spain's defense projects, submarine enters service

The Spanish daily "El Mundo" reported that the country's two main defense industry projects—submarines and Dragon 8x8 wheeled combat vehicles—are facing significant delays, disrupting the defense ministry's plans. Spain spends the least in NATO in terms of percentage of GDP allocated to armaments.

Twenty years ago, Spain decided to independently build modern submarines. To this end, the Ministry of Defense signed a contract with the company Navantia to build four multipurpose units, which were to enter service in 2012.

However, the first S-80 class submarine, the S-81 Isaac Peral, did not join the Spanish Navy until the fall of 2023. According to information provided by "El Mundo," Spain has now become one of ten countries in the world that independently produce submarines. The newspaper pointed out the long production time and the rising costs of the program.

The S-81 Isaac Peral is approximately 262 feet long and has a displacement of around 3,000 tons. It can reach speeds of up to 25 mph. The crew consists of 32 sailors, and its armament includes six 21-inch torpedo tubes.

So far, only seven out of the 348 ordered Dragon vehicles have been delivered. The contract with the company Tess Defence was signed in 2015. The machines were supposed to be ready within three years to replace the outdated vehicles used by the Spanish army.

At the beginning of this year, Defense Minister Margarita Robles expressed concern about the production delays and called on the company to speed up the work. As reported by "El Mundo," the exact date of delivery for the next Dragons is currently unknown. These vehicles can reach speeds of about 62 mph and are equipped with a Guardian 30 turret with a 30 mm automatic cannon.

According to the Spanish newspaper's assessment, these delays hinder the implementation of government plans. The delay in submarine deliveries affects, among other things, the training of sailors and the assignment of their tasks.

Spain spends the least in NATO in terms of percentage of GDP allocated to armaments. In 2024, this will be 1.28 percent. By comparison, Poland will spend over 4.1 percent of its GDP on defense this year. Spain plans to reach the Alliance's required level of 2 percent of GDP by 2029.