Spain approves additional S 80 submarine funding

摘要

The Spanish government has approved a further EUR759 million (USD948.4 million) in funding to cover overrun costs on the long-delayed S 80 submarine programme. The Cabinet announced on 31 October that funding provision will begin this year with a payment of EUR192.8 million from the Ministry of Industry; the rest of the funds will be paid over a period running up to 2018. Design problems relating to the new boat's weight and balance were first revealed in May 2013. At that time, the Ministry of Defence suggested a revised delivery date for the first boat of 2017 - well behind the original schedule of 2012.The delays also prompted a final major overhaul for the last of the submarines that the S 80 class will replace: the S 70 class boat Tramontana (S 74).