The Spanish Navy has deliberately sunk one of its former warships after striking it with a single torpedo fired from its newest submarine during a military exercise in the Atlantic Ocean. The decommissioned patrol vessel Infanta Elena was sent to the bottom of the ocean near the Canary Islands on Wednesday as part of war drills named SINKEX 26.
The torpedo was launched from the Isaac Peral (S-81), Spain's first domestically built S-80-class submarine, in a demonstration of its ability to locate and destroy enemy vessels. The Spanish Navy stated that the submarine successfully hit its target with a single torpedo, testing its weapons systems and the crew's readiness for combat operations.
The exercise marked a significant milestone for the Isaac Peral, which entered service in 2023 following years of technical setbacks and delays. The submarine fired a DM2A4 heavyweight torpedo that struck the former warship's stern, causing it to sink.
The Infanta Elena had served the Spanish Navy for more than four decades after entering service in 1980. It was initially commissioned as a corvette before being converted into an offshore patrol vessel in 2004.
The ship made its final operational journey in September 2022 and was officially retired in March 2023. Other military assets involved in the exercise included the frigates Cristobal Colon and Navarra, three Harrier fighter jets, helicopters, surveillance aircraft, and drones.
The Navy confirmed that the vessel had been cleared of fuel, oil, and other potentially hazardous materials before being sunk. Environmental monitoring measures were also implemented to protect marine wildlife, specifically protected species including whales.
The operation was intended to demonstrate Spain's submarine warfare capabilities under conditions resembling an actual naval confrontation. This successful test reinforces the strategic importance of the S-80 program in modernizing the Spanish fleet.
Military analysts suggest that such exercises are vital for maintaining operational readiness in the Atlantic region. The precision of the strike highlights the advanced targeting capabilities integrated into the new submarine class.
The Spanish Ministry of Defence expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the drill, noting that all safety protocols were strictly followed throughout the process. The sinking of the Infanta Elena serves as a final service to the nation, providing valuable data for future naval engagements.