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The first static dive of the second boat in the class represents an important milestone in the S-80 building programme

Conventional Submarines

The S-80 programme, comprising four conventionally powered submarines for the Spanish Navy, is progressing according to schedule, with the diesel
The TYPHOON family of stabilised, remotely-operated weapon stations provides extreme precision, reliability and the highest lethality against the spectrum of modern threats in the naval/maritime security environment. Photos: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems

Navies’ top priority is protection

Navies are preparing to defend against increasingly deadly threats. Many surface ship classes are to be shaped-up to better defend
Prognostication: President Donald Trump reiterates his strong criticism of the alliance. Photo: The White House

Prognostication

It’s ‘spectacular’ all over again, only worse: US President Donald Trump’s recent intervention at the FIFA and his renewed address
The Royal Saudi Naval Forces intend to re-orientate toward improved warfare capabilities: Navantia has been selected as the Kingdom’s premier supplier of state-of-the-art surface combatants because it is able to combine existing shipbuilding expertise with a steadily evolving ‘system-of-systems’ approach to offer the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia more advanced platforms to cope with current and future threats. Pictured is the launching of the sixth AVANTE 2200 corvette HMS “Al Madinah” (838). Photos: Navantia

On time: Navantia celebrates the launching of the sixth AVANTE 2200 corvette for Saudi Arabia

On 18 June 2026, Spain’s premier naval shipbuilder Navantia has launched the first of a second batch of three AVANTE
Navantia designed the S-80 attack submarine in close collaboration with the Spanish Navy. The second boat in the class, SPS Narciso Monturiol (S 82), is pictured here during her namening ceremony on 3 October 2025 – she is expected to be delivered to the Submarine Force in 2026. All photos: Navantia

Navantia begins AIP propulsion system testing on third S-80 attack submarine

Navantia, at their Cartagena shipyard in the Region of Murcia in southeastern Spain, has begun testing of the air independent
The combination of Kronos Mini and S-WISE provides naval forces with an integrated capability to operate both on the surface and underwater, improving situational awareness and response capacity against emerging threats in the maritime environment. Photos: ARQUIMEA

Eurosatory 2026

ARQUIMEA unveils Kronos Mini – a new autonomous naval system to reinforce its capabilities in naval loitering systems
The Al Jubail class (AVANTE 2200) corvette is capable of performing anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and anti-air warfare. Photos: Navantia

Corvettes – Saudi Arabia

Spain’s premier naval shipbuilder Navantia has signed a Follow-on Support Contract for services associated to the life cycle support of
The AVANTE 2200 corvette design already attracted the interest by Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

Navantia advances its collaboration strategy with the Croatian industry

Spain’s premier naval shipbuilder Navantia signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with its Croatian partners, Uljanik Brodogradnja 1856 and Nortes
IAI’s DIAMOND solution provides an integrated off-the-shelf solution that eliminates the need for new warship construction or lengthy integration processes. The solution enables rapid deployment, shortens operational timelines, reduces costs and supports continuous modernisation in response to emerging threats and evolving mission requirements. Photo: Israel Aerospae Industries

Empowering frigate-type combatants

IAI unveils DIAMOND – a new distributed warfare solution that expands the power of modern frigates operating in contested combat
Strategic cooperation between Israel and Germany: The memorandum of understanding aims to establish a strategic framework agreement for cooperation between the two companies. Photo: TKMS / Elbit Systems

TKMS and Elbit Systems expand their collaboration on the development of defence solutions

TKMS and Elbit Systems Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic framework agreement to explore opportunities for
The Modular and Multirole Patrol Corvette (MMPC), previously named European Patrol Corvette (EPC), is a Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) project that was adopted by the European Council on 12 November 2019. The objective is to design and develop a new class of surface combatants. Artits’s impression: Naviris

EDF 2025: Spain’s Navantia strengthens its role in the European naval and defence industry

Navantia strengthens its position as one of the leading players in the European naval defence industry following the European Commission’s
The Tamandaré class Frigates Programme (PFCT) is one of the most significant modernisation initiatives of the Brazilian Navy. Photos: Embraer

Embraer, TKMS and the Brazilian Ministry of Defence sign MoU to expand the Tamandaré Programme

Embraer has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Defence of Brazil and TKMS with a view
The Turkish Navy’s flagship, the drone carrier-amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu (L 400) has been ordered in June 2015 and commissioned on 10 April 2023. Photo: Turkish Naval Forces Command

Navantia to provide life-cycle support for the Turkish Navy

Navantia and the Turkish Naval Shipyards General Directorate (TGM) formalised on 8 April, at TGM’s facilities in Ankara, the signing
The F-110 frigate is the Spanish Navy’s technoplogically most ambitious new-construction programme currently achieving its next major milestones. In Dececmber 2019, Lockheed Martin signed a contract with Navantia to equip the five new F- 110 (Bonifaz class) multi-mission frigates with the SPY-7 radar and ist International Aegis Fire Control Loop (IAFCL), meaning that Spain continues to be the major Aegis operator in Europe. Photo: Navantia

Naval Shipbuilding

Over nearly three decades, the Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has developed a proven track record as an integrator of different systems
The Multi-Purpose Modular Patrol Vessel Hrabri (12) delivered to the Bulgarian Navy is based on NVL Group’s proven OPV-90 design – an evolution of the smaller 1,650-tonne OPV-80, which serves as the Darussalam class with the Royal Brunei Navy (four units commissioned between 2011 and 2014) and the Arafura class (six units) currently under construction for the Royal Australian Navy. Photo: Ministry of Defence of Bulgaria

Patrol vessels

The global offshore patrol vessel market is characterised by a robust growth that is driven by increasing maritime security threats,
Fotos: Navantia

Navantia’s proposal for Croatia: a proven ship and long-term robust industrial cooperation

The Navantia proposal for the Multi-role Corvette programme is the Avante 2200/ALFA 3000, a proven vessel that fully satisfies the
Navantia is proposing its light frigate design – ALFA 4000 – for the Swedish YSF2030 frigate programme. Artist’s impression: Navantia

Swedish Frigate Decision

Sweden’s acquisition of new frigates is, at its core, a strategic decision. It is not only a matter of industry,
The GhostFin multi-mission sonar suite for unmanned underwater vehicles provides bistatic sonar detection using a remote active sound source from anti-submarine warfare vessels or fixed sonar systems. Artist’s impression: DSIT Solutions Ltd.

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles

More than ever before, unmanned underwater vehicles will enable navies to achieve a continuous in-theatre presence in varying mission scenarios.
Five unmanned RQ-4D ‘Phoenix’ HALE platforms form the basis of the NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF) – a multinational force that provides timely, high-quality intelligence products to NATO decision-makers and member countries. NISRF makes a significant contribution to the operational readiness of the Alliance. Photo: NATO

The future of the Euro-Atlantic security architecture – no longer fit for purpose?

Four fundamental structural shifts – Russian aggression, the rise of China, an unpredictable US and European political instability – have
During her recent visit to Stockholm, the F-100 frigate SPS Almirante Juan de Borbón (F 102) showcased her sophisticated design and performance characteristics, as well as Navantia’s innovative philosophy in modern naval shipbuilding. Photos: Navantia

Navantia in Sweden – through-life support of modern frigates

The visit of the Spanish Navy’s Álvaro de Bazán class guided missile frigate SPS Almirante Juan de Borbón (F 102)
The Polish Navy is in a process of acquiring two new SIGINT ships under the umbrella of the Delfin programme. Photo: Saab Group

Signals Intelligence

Some navies have them and some do not. Signals intelligence (SIGINT) collection ships may seem like a niche capability, according
Two conventional (hard rock) deposit types – carbonatite and alkaline igneous complexes – currently supply global markets with the rare earth elements and rare earth oxides necessary to meet the technological needs of global communities. The knowledge of tectonic setting, typical rock associations, deposit morphology and deposit genesis has led to the discovery of many conventional-type rare earth deposit types in the world. Map: Charles D. Beard et al., 2022

What’s the role of rare earth elements?

Dependence of strategic and critical raw materials may soon replace today’s dependence on oil
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has seen a rapidly expanding rate of drone use on both sides, from tens of thousands per month in 2022 to hundreds of thousands per month in 2024. Pictured is the Ukrainian RAM II drone carrying various explosives for precision strike. Photo: CDET LLC/Ukroboronprom

Drones: decoupling supply chains from China

“The challenge to mass producing hover-optimised [...] drones has revealed systemic vulnerabilities in the West, stemming from a heavy reliance
Stephen Dover is Chief Market Strategist and Head of Franklin Templeton Institute Photo: Franklin Templeton

Coup de Caracas

Early Saturday morning, US military forces captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. According to US official
Synergie - The first of eight to be delivered Boeing 737-based P-8A submarine-hunting aircraft arrived in German on 7 November. Photo: German Armed Forces/Christoph Kassette

Synergies that matter

To date, the global inventory of P-8 Poseidon submarine-hunting aircraft has completed over 700,000 flight hours. The high speed of
Jim Parrott is Naval Sales Manager at Chess Dynamics and he served as a Royal Navy warfare officer for over 33 years where he specialised in surface warfare and air defence, predominantly serving in destroyers and aircraft carriers. Photo: Chess Dynamics

Chess Dynamics – excellence in surveillance and naval fire control

Naval Forces spoke with Jim Parrott about Chess Dynamics‘ perspective in the field of electro-optics and fire control. Jim has
The first of eight to be delivered Boeing 737-based P-8A submarine-hunting aircraft arrived in German on 7 November. Photo: Lufthansa Technik

Boeing contracts Lufthansa Technik Defense for sustainment of German Navy’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft

Boeing and Lufthansa Technik Defense signed a multi-year contract on comprehensive technical sustainment services for the German Navy’s eight P-8A
Fitted with intelligent sensor technology, GREYSHARK undertakes complex intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, mine countermeasures and missions to help protect critical undersea infrastructures.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

EUROATLAS and strategic partner EvoLogics are proceeding with sea trials of their GREYSHARK™ autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV)
The second S-80 class (Isaac Peral class) submarine “Narciso Monturiol” (S 82) offers a submerged speed exceeding 19 knots, an operating depth beyond 300 metres and an endurance of up to 60 days. Foto: Navantia

Second S-80 class submarine hits the water and prepares for testing phase

The submarine sits in the water after a long an delicate manoeuvre, carried out over several hours using a floating
Naval Shipbuilding Fleet Solid Support programme achieves Critical Design Review milestone

Fleet Solid Support

The Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme has achieved a pivotal milestone with the successful completion of the Critical Design Review
The Naval Combat Cloud is a prerequisite for the Spanish Navy’s increased responsibilities in the global naval security environment. Photo: Navantia

Spanish Naval Shipbuilding

With the induction of several new state-of-the-art warship classes in recent years, Navantia is continuing to showcase its global leadership
The Spanish Navy is due to commission the second attack submarine SPS Narciso Monturiol (S 82) in 2026. The submarine is enhanced by integrating non-penetrating, all-weather optronic imaging systems, hoistable masts and periscopes supplied by L3Harries. All photos: Navantia

Spain’s S-80 attack submarine programme progresses

Navantia’s shipyard in Cartagena (Murcia) has hosted (on 3 October) the naming ceremony of the S-80 submarine SPS Narciso Monturiol
Ballistic Missile Defence: long-range radar system

Ballistic Missile Defence

The TRS-4D LR long-range radar is used at the German Navy’s Naval Technical School in Parow (State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) as
Ready for Europe’s maritime future: the Unmanned High-Speed Interceptor 32 (UHSI32) offers an autonomous platform for a variety of naval/maritime duties. Photo: CMN NAVAL

UHSI32

The UHSI32 is being developed as a true game changer for future European naval operations.
Group photo of NATO Heads of State and Government at the Summit in The Hague, 24–25 June 2025. (Source: NATO Summit 2025)

The Hague 2025: NATO Adopts 5% Defence Investment Target – Ukraine Remains Strategic Partner

The Hague, 25 June 2025 – In a landmark decision, NATO Heads of State and Government agreed to significantly increase
Western Baltic Sea, February 2025: The Russian state-owned double-hull oil product tanker RFS General Skobelev (seen here returning from the Mediterranean) was commissioned in 2008. (Photo: Michael Nitz/Naval Press Service) - EU Tightens Sanctions on Russia’s Shadow Fleet

EU Tightens Sanctions on Russia’s Shadow Fleet

Brussels, 14 May 2025 – The European Union has adopted its 17th sanctions package against Russia, targeting the so-called “shadow
Naval warships can deliver large amounts of laser power. Photo: US Navy

High Energy Laser

Since Columbia University graduate student Gordon Gould and Bell Laboratories scientists Charles Townes and Arthur Schawlow (among others) coined the
The Raider hydrogen-powered drone featuring an extended endurance, enhanced payload capacity plus a modular design to adapt to evolving operational demands. Photo: Heven Drones

Heven Drones unveiled a hydrogen-powered drone for modern multi-role operations

Heven Drones, a company headquartered in Miami, Florida (USA) and specialising in hydrogen-powered unmanned aerial systems designed for complex operational
An effective hypersonic defence must include space sensors and a glide-phase interceptor, but it should not stop there. Artist’s impression: Raytheon Missiles and Defense - Complex air defence - Countering the hypersonic missile threat

Complex air defence

Defending against hypersonic missiles is strategically necessary, technologically possible, and fiscally affordable, but it will not be easy.
The controllable pitch propeller enables adjustable thrust generation, combined with rudders for steering. (Photos: Otto Piening GmbH)

Between proven and innovative – the evolution of military ship propulsion

Robustness in all its facets is a top priority for naval forces, which can, to some extent, hinder or at

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