Article Posted on : - Jul 13, 2013

The S-73 'Mistral'. A Navantia photo

CARTAGENA (BNS): The Spanish Navy's Agosta class submarine, S-73 'Mistral', has begun sea trials after being refurbished by the country's shipbuilder Navantia.

The vessel began its sea trials on July 4, marking the beginning of final phase of the major refit work carried out at the shipyard's Cartagena facility.

The submarine is scheduled to undertake a total of eight sailings this month before being delivered to the Navy in September, where it would remain operational for another five years, the shipbuilder said.

The submarine 'Mistral' is the third vessel in the series of four units of the Agosta class. It was launched on November 14, 1983 and was delivered to the Navy on June 5, 1985.

It is the fourth time that a major refit work has been carried out on this submarine, Navantia said.