Delfin

Updated. Originally posted Oct 10 2016.

Mystery of the Cuban Navy's midget sub
This article would not be possible without info from unnamed others. All info presented is OSINT, and any errors are solely the responsibility of the author. Feedback and further info welcome.

Cuba maintains a shroud of secrecy around its sole active submarine, the 21m (70ft) Delfin. Recent satellite imagery shows that she is still active and operates from both her home base at Cabanas and occasionally from the capitol Havana.
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub
Very little is known about the boat but we can deduce some basic facts. She is a ~20m (65ft) dry sub with a crew of at least five men. She has a single diesel engine which does not appear to have a snort mast, instead a crude inverted u-bend type exhaust is visible at the back of the sail. We do not know if she is armed but she is large enough to assume twin 533mm torpedoes could be carried externally.
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub
Rumors that she is of North Korean design appear in error although there is evidence from North Korean defectors that Cuban officials inspected North Korean submarines in 1990s. So it is possible that the Cuban program was influenced by North Korean designs such as the Yugo Class. A stronger influence appears be the Russian SPLC X-Craft.
Soviet Project 1015 'SPLC' Special Purpose midget submarine

Satellite Imagery
Havana, December 2019:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub

Havana, November 2019:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub

Cabanas, August 2018:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub

Cabanas, March 2018:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub


Get The essential guide to World Submarines
This Covert Shores Recognition Guide Covers over 80 classes of submarines including all types currently in service with World Navies.
Check it out on Amazon

Cabanas, November 2016:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub

Havana, August 2015:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub

Cabanas, February 2014:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub

Cabanas, February 2013:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub

Cabanas, January 2013:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub


The World's ONLY Guide to
Narco Submarines
10 years of research, analyzing over 160 incidents, condensed into a handy guide. This unique book systematically breaks down the types and families. With detailed taxonomy, recognition 3-views, profiles and photos. Available on Amazon


Cabanas, December 2012:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub

Cabanas, October 2012:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub

Cabanas, August 2012:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub

Havana, November 2011:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub


Learn EVERYTHING about Special Forces subsCovert Shores 2nd Edition. A world history of naval Special Forces, their missions and their specialist vehicles. SEALs, SBS, COMSUBIN, Sh-13, Spetsnaz, Kampfschwimmers, Commando Hubert, 4RR and many more.
Check it out on Amazon

Cabanas, November 2010:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub

Cabanas, May 2010:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub

Cabanas, April 2008:
Mystery of the Cuban Navy's Defin Class midget sub

Related articles (Full index of popular Covert Shores articles)
Flag North Korean Modified-Romeo Class ballistic missile submarine
Flag Indian next-generation S-5 Class SSBN
Flag Chinese Sailless Submarine
Flag Attack Class
Flag Sub Iranian Nahang Class midget sub
Flag North Korean MS-29 YONO Class midget sub. w/Cutaway
Flag Sub INS Arihant, Indian SSBN and .2
Flag Sub Iranian Fateh Class SSK
Flag Sub HDS-500 Midget Submarine
Flag Chinese MS200 midget submarine
Flag Flag Flag Flag Flag Nordenfelt steam powered submarines of the 1880s. w/Cutaway