{"id":68135,"date":"2026-11-04T19:55:42","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T18:55:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/?p=68135"},"modified":"2026-11-04T19:55:42","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T18:55:42","slug":"the-sinking-of-the-former-spanish-corvette-infanta-elena-by-the-submarine-isaac-peral","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/2026\/11\/04\/the-sinking-of-the-former-spanish-corvette-infanta-elena-by-the-submarine-isaac-peral\/","title":{"rendered":"The sinking of the former Spanish corvette 'Infanta Elena' by the submarine 'Isaac Peral'"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Spanish Navy sent one of its former vessels to the bottom of the sea today, during the SINKEX 26 exercise.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p><rel><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/2025\/07\/23\/the-spanish-navy-shows-off-the-inside-of-its-submarine-isaac-peral-in-a-360-degree-video\/\">The Spanish Navy shows off the inside of its submarine 'Isaac Peral' in a 360-degree video<\/a><\/rel><br \/>\n<rel><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/2024\/01\/30\/the-test-firing-of-the-spanish-submarine-isaac-peral-s-81-with-its-torpedo-tubes\/\">The test firing of the Spanish submarine 'Isaac Peral' S-81 with its torpedo tubes<\/a><\/rel><\/p>\n<p><strong>The sunken vessel is the former corvette \"Infanta Elena\" (F-33), the third unit of the Descubierta-class<\/strong>\u2014a series of eight ships built by the Baz\u00e1n shipyards in Cartagena and Ferrol. (The last two never entered service with the Spanish Navy; they were sold to Egypt and remain active in the Egyptian Navy today.) <strong>The Spanish Navy released this video of the sinking today<\/strong>, an operation that involved various naval and aerial units, with the submarine \"Isaac Peral\" (S-81) delivering the final blow that sent the former corvette to the bottom.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"665\">\n<p lang=\"es\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\udca5El submarino \u2018Isaac Peral\u2019 hunde al antiguo patrullero \u2018Infanta Elena\u2019 durante el ejercicio de fuego real SINKEX 26. <\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfafDemostraci\u00f3n de capacidad de combate, disuasi\u00f3n y control del mar en un ejercicio que pone a prueba los sistemas del S-81 y la preparaci\u00f3n de su dotaci\u00f3n. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/cnL6Kk8UlV\">pic.twitter.com\/cnL6Kk8UlV<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Armada (@Armada_esp) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Armada_esp\/status\/2117952175469105317?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 4, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Designed as corvettes and heavily armed, the Descubierta-class units were popularly known in the Spanish Navy as \"Hormigas At\u00f3micas\" (Atomic Ants), as they possessed a combat capability virtually equivalent to that of a frigate, including anti-submarine weaponry. <strong>The corvette \"Infanta Elena\" was launched on September 14, 1976<\/strong>; it was commissioned into the Spanish Navy on April 12, 1980, and subsequently retired from service on March 17, 2023.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632744405_7b8da5a2e6_h.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632744405_b91d257ec9_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>As was the case with five of the six Descubierta-class units operated by the Spanish Navy<\/strong> (the remaining unit, the \"Diana\" F-32, was converted into a mine-warfare command ship), <strong>the \"Infanta Elena\" was reclassified as an offshore patrol vessel in 2004<\/strong>, designated P-76, and lost a significant portion of its armament during a refit process.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632458238_9775f8fa6d_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632458238_cc9eaa4f04_b.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>This \"Atomic Ant\" was originally equipped with an OTO Melara 76mm DP main gun, 8 RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers<\/strong>, a RIM-7 Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missile launcher (with a capacity for 8 missiles and 24 missiles total on board), two 40mm Bofors L\/70 anti-aircraft guns, two triple 325mm ASW torpedo tubes, and a twin Bofors 375mm anti-submarine rocket launcher. <strong>It was a formidable arsenal for a vessel measuring 88.9 meters in length with a displacement of 1,440 tons.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632321396_dd98d512fb_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632321396_a7fe8e3e1b_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Following its refit, the offshore patrol vessel \"Infanta Elena\" (P-76) retained its OTO Melara gun and four of its Harpoon missile launchers.<\/strong> The rest of its arsenal was significantly reduced, and it lost its anti-submarine warfare capability. It was equipped with an Oerlikon 20mm cannon, two 12.7mm Browning M2 heavy machine guns, and two 7.62mm light machine guns.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632458233_b7e152a84d_o.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632458233_f1cdb1fe02_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Before being decommissioned, the former corvette underwent a process of disarmament<\/strong>, which was completed on March 17, 2023\u2014the date of its farewell ceremony, when the Spanish flag was lowered from its stern for the last time after 46 years of service. <strong>Following its decommissioning, the vessel was moored at the La Curra pier, within the Cartagena Naval Base<\/strong>, which had served as its home port throughout its operational life.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632321391_8e7426db7f_c.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632321391_8e7426db7f_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/armada.defensa.gob.es\/ArmadaPortal\/page\/Portal\/ArmadaEspannola\/conocenosnoticias\/prefLang-es\/00noticias--2026--11--NW_63_SINKEX_26-es?_selectedNodeID=6125114&_pageAction=selectItem\" target=\"_blank\">The Spanish Navy announced today that the former corvette \"Infanta Elena\" was sunk by a torpedo launched from the submarine \"Isaac Peral\" (S-81), the first of its class.<\/a> <em>\"This activity provided an opportunity to put the combat capabilities of the Submarine Service into practice within a joint operational scenario alongside other naval assets.\"<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632470459_b08d686e4b_3k.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632470459_b593674ec1_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Exercise SINKEX 26 involved the participation of several other vessels:<\/strong> the frigates \"Crist\u00f3bal Col\u00f3n\" (F-105) and \"Navarra\" (F-85), the multipurpose vessel \"Carnota\" (A-61), and the maritime action vessel \"Rel\u00e1mpago\" (P-43). <strong>The exercise also included the Mine Countermeasures Diving Unit (UBMCM) and various units from the Aircraft Flotilla (FLOAN)<\/strong>, specifically, three EAV-8B+ Harrier II Plus aircraft from the 9th Squadron, an SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter from the 10th Squadron, and a ScanEagle UAV from the 11th Squadron. <strong>A maritime surveillance aircraft from the Air Force also took part in the exercise.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632259826_15fa7696ef_k.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632259826_199e36d0d9_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In the following image, taken from a video released by the Spanish Navy, we can see <strong>two of the 9th Squadron\u2019s Harrier II Plus fighter jets that participated in this exercise<\/strong>. Both aircraft are carrying GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs under their wings, as well as AN\/AAQ-28 LITENING targeting pods mounted beneath their fuselages.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632395398_ce68e49c1f_3k.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632395398_9afea7acc3_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>In the video, we can see that the old corvette was struck by a torpedo on its port side<\/strong>, near the stern. The impact buckled the ship's hull, causing it to sink stern-first.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55631377297_64876120fa_h.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55631377297_0827c1374f_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Below, we see the effect of an impact from a 533 mm DM2A4 Seehecht heavy torpedo<\/strong>, manufactured by the German firm Atlas Elektronik and equipped with a 250 kg high-explosive warhead. The explosion was impressive.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632683230_16ad7f8293_k.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632683230_5713999851_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Navy has released this photo of the \"Infanta Elena\" at the moment of its sinking.<\/strong> The image was likely captured from the 10th Squadron\u2019s SH-60B helicopter, which took part in this exercise.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632462294_7f4d367f98_h.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632462294_1aa54631c6_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>In this still taken from the video, we can see the ship\u2019s bow from the starboard bow quarter, in greater detail.<\/strong> The base of the OTO Melara gun is visible. The bridge appears to be in good condition, despite the powerful explosion caused by the torpedo impact\u2014all of its windows remain intact. The hull number P-76 is still visible on the starboard side, below the bridge.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632462279_319609a7db_h.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632462279_2bc6be5e45_z.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>In this other image, we see the ship from its starboard quarter. It is listing to port, revealing the damage sustained from the torpedo impact.<\/strong> Judging by the ship\u2019s condition, the torpedo must have been the only thing fired at it.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632395403_ba8edf7e7c_h.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55632395403_a001543d26_c.jpg\" style=\"width:100%; height:auto; border:0px;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Spanish Navy has indicated that this exercise was directed at sea by the commander of the 41st Escort Squadron (COMANDES-41)<\/strong>, Captain Rafael Mira Calvo, and his staff, who were embarked aboard the frigate \"Navarra.\" The commander emphasized that <em>\"<strong>the exercise could not have been carried out without the professionalism, preparation, and effective coordination<\/strong> of the crews, pilots, specialized teams, and support elements of the participating units; their performance was essential to executing the activities in accordance with established procedures and safety measures.\"<\/em><\/p>\n<p>---<\/p>\n<p><small>Images: Armada Espa\u00f1ola \/ Ministerio de Defensa \/ Navantia.<\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Spanish Navy sent one of its former vessels to the bottom of the sea today, during the SINKEX 26 exercise.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[19630,11545],"tags":[8303,10437,2245,18531,15149,21258,28231,8649,17340,19377,17862,16675,1111,20687,28230,13997,1859,28228,10669,12746],"class_list":["post-68135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-1a-plana-defense-eng","category-navy","tag-10a-escuadrilla","tag-11a-escuadrilla","tag-9-escuadrilla","tag-aircraft-fleet-of-the-spanish-navy-floan","tag-anaaq-28-litening","tag-bam-relampago-p-43","tag-descubierta-class","tag-flotilla-de-submarinos-de-la-armada-espanola","tag-frigate-navarra-f-85","tag-frigatecristobal-colon-f-105","tag-gbu-12-paveway-ii","tag-isaac-peral-s-81-submarine","tag-mcdonnell-douglas-eav-8b-harrier-ii","tag-multipurpose-ship-carnota-a-61","tag-rafael-mira-calvo","tag-scan-eagle","tag-sikorsky-sh-60-seahawk","tag-sinkex-26","tag-spanish-navy","tag-unidad-de-buceadores-de-medidas-contra-minas-ubmcm"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-11-11 22:40:08","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68135","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68135"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68135\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68135"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68135"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68135"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}