The Minister of Defense visits the Submarine Flotilla.

The Minister of Defense, María Dolores de Cospedal, has visited the Submarine Flotilla in Cartagena (SE Spain). She was toured around the new S-80 simulators where she was informed on the missions and capabilities of the Submarine Force. After a meeting with Flotilla personnel, the Minister embarked on board the S-74 ‘Tramontana’ with the Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy, Admiral Teodoro López Calderón and the Commander of the Submarine Flotilla, Captain Alejandro Cuerda.

The ‘Tramontana’ left port and proceeded towards the immersion area. During the navigation, Minister De Cospedal visited the platform control room, the accommodation area, the command post and torpedoes rooms.

In her address to the Flotilla crews, the Minister underlined the role of the Submarine Force as a fundamental part of the Spanish Armed Forces.

María Dolores de Cospedal made a reference to the 103 years of service of the Submarine Force saying that ‘the spirit of sacrifice, comradeship and, above all, their professionalism, are key features of any sailor, but even more so in the case of a submariner who carries out his/her job in an environment of extreme difficulty’.

Regarding the immediate future of the Flotilla, the Minister said ‘the new S-80 program is a great challenge for the Spanish industry and a huge step forward in relation to product quality’. She also hoped the project will be a great success.