Spain is moving forward with plans to equip its S-80 class submarines with a submarine-launched missile capability, following the authorisation of a €792 million contract by the Council of Ministers on 10 November 2026.
The programme will cover the development, integration and acquisition of the new weapon system, with funding distributed over nine annual instalments. According to the Spanish government, the initiative will provide the S-80 fleet with additional operational capabilities in line with the Spanish Navy's requirements and NATO guidelines.
Although the official announcement does not identify the missile or its manufacturer, specialised defence reporting points to a submarine-launched aaaaaaversion of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), developed by Norwegian company Kongsberg. The Spanish programme has also been referred to as the Naval Attack Missile (MSM-SL).
The weapon is expected to be based on the NSM, a modern precision-guided missile originally developed for launch from surface vessels. Its submarine configuration requires a specialised launch capsule, allowing the missile to be fired from a submerged platform before reaching the surface and proceeding towards its target.
The NSM uses an imaging infrared seeker and advanced target-recognition capabilities, making it a highly capable weapon against naval targets. Its development for submarine launch would also provide the S-80 class with a potential land-attack capability, significantly expanding the range of missions available to the Spanish Navy's submarines.
The new weapon will complement the S-80's existing torpedo armament, giving the submarines additional options for engaging targets at considerable distances while remaining concealed underwater. This combination would strengthen their ability to conduct anti-surface warfare and contribute to long-range strike missions.
The S-80 programme originally envisaged the integration of the American UGM-84 Sub-Harpoon Block II anti-ship missile. However, this option was subsequently abandoned after the US Navy discontinued the submarine-launched Harpoon programme and announced plans to withdraw the weapon from service.
In November 2024, the Spanish Navy moved towards the Norwegian Naval Strike Missile (NSM) as the preferred alternative, commissioning Navantia to carry out technical studies for the integration of a submarine-launched version into the S-80 class. The new €792 million contract authorised in November 2026 represents a major step forward, moving the programme beyond preliminary integration studies towards the development, integration and acquisition of the missile capability.
The transition from Sub-Harpoon to NSM reflects the Navy's decision to adopt a newer weapon system, already selected for Spain's future F-110 frigates and the modernisation of the F-100 class.
The €792 million investment marks a significant step in the evolution of Spain's submarine capabilities. Once developed and integrated, the new missile system will give the S-80 class an important additional weapon, increasing its operational flexibility and strengthening the Spanish Navy's ability to operate in contested maritime environments.
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