Spanish Submarine Sinks Retired Patrol Boat With Torpedo

The Spanish Navy successfully concluded the SINKEX 26 naval exercise in Atlantic waters near the Canary Islands, highlighted by the sinking of a decommissioned patrol boat. The S-80 class submarine Isaac Peral (S-81) took center stage during the live-fire training by neutralizing the former vessel with a single heavy torpedo.

According to the Spanish Ministry of Defence, the exercise demonstrated the submarine's combat capabilities, stealth, and precision strike potential in a joint operational scenario. Officials noted that the successful deployment underscores the strategic deterrent value of a silent, invisible patrol presence within national waters capable of neutralizing threats from afar.

The sunken vessel was the former corvette Infanta Elena, which served for over four decades before its decommissioning on March 17, 2023. Originally launched in September 1976 as a heavily armed Descubierta-class ship, it was later reclassified as an offshore patrol vessel in 2004, undergoing significant disarmament prior to its final retirement at the Cartagena Naval Base.

The live-fire drill allowed the military to evaluate weapons systems and coordinate naval and naval aviation assets under conditions close to actual combat. The Isaac Peral operated alongside several other units, including the frigates Cristóbal Colón and Navarra, the multipurpose ship Carnota, and the maritime action ship Relámpago.

Additional support for the exercise came from the Mine Countermeasures Diving Unit, three AV-8B Harrier aircraft, an SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter, a ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle, and a maritime surveillance aircraft from the Air and Space Force. The operation at sea was directed by Captain Rafael Mira Calvo, commander of the 41st Escort Squadron, aboard the frigate Navarra.

Captain Mira Calvo praised the performance of the personnel involved, stating that "the exercise could not have been conducted without the professionalism, training, and effective coordination of the crews, pilots, specialized teams, and support elements of the participating units; their performance was essential to executing the activities in accordance with established procedures and safety measures."

Environmental protection measures were prioritized ahead of the live-fire operations. The Navy confirmed that the decommissioned vessel underwent thorough decontamination to remove all fuels, oils, and potentially polluting components. Furthermore, authorities conducted pre-exercise hydrographic and environmental assessments, implementing specific monitoring protocols to protect local marine wildlife, particularly cetaceans, while ensuring the safety of civilian navigation in the Canary Islands.