What’s the problem with Spain’s new submarine?

WASHINGTON--Spain’s new submarine model has grown in both physical size and price to solve engineering problems, but the solutions have also now created a new problem: it won’t fit inside the docking area of the naval base.

The S-80 Plus was extended by 10 meters to increase buoyancy after the original model of the sub appeared unable to resurface, as first reported by the Spanish newspaper El País. However, the additions will also require much larger docking infrastructure to be built at Cartagena naval base to accommodate the sub.

The total price of the contract for the four Spanish subs, even without the expenses for new docking, has nearly doubled after the unexpected challenges to reach €3.9 billion ($4.5 billion).

Spain’s Minister of Defense Margarita Robles stated on Spanish radio that while “there have been deficiencies in the project," the problems “are already corrected and the project is absolutely viable."

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