Spain's first S 80-class submarine will not be fitted out with an air independent propulsion (AIP) system, as development of the system will not be ready in time, according to the admiral in charge of Maritime Action (Almart).
Admiral Manuel de la Puente Mora-Figueroa was reported by the regional newspaper La Opinion de Murcia as stating that the AIP "is not going to be incorporated in the first submarine". He also said he was not sure which of the four new boats would be the first to be fitted with the AIP system.
Doubts had been expressed earlier about the system being finished but have been overshadowed in the last few years by an even bigger problem over a lack of balance, which has led to the boats' hulls having to be lengthened.
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