On 8 July, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and the Norwegian Defence Material Agency signed a contract with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems for the construction and delivery of a total of six U 212CD (Common Design) class submarines. Four of the identical boats will be delivered to Norway and two to Germany. The contract is worth 5.5 billion euros and is the largest order that the Kiel shipyard has ever landed. In addition to the boats, additional logistical services and training equipment, including simulators, were also ordered.
Joy after signing the contract
"With these submarines, we are combining proven technology, which we already know from the U212A, with further developments, particularly in the area of sensor technology, which will make us fit for the future. The combination of increased range, a design protected against reconnaissance and not least the cooperation with our Norwegian partner will provide our armed forces with new possibilities for use in the context of national and alliance defence," says BAAINBw project manager Jörg Jährig.
The German Navy currently has six Class 212A boats in service, which were delivered in two batches. Italy has a further four units of the class, although these were built by Fincantieri and differ in details from the German version. In contrast to the two German boats in the second batch, the Italian boats have not been modernised in any significant respects.
Contract signed on the Norwegian side
Construction of the first 212CD class boat will begin in 2023, with delivery to the Norwegian Navy scheduled for 2029. The German Navy cannot expect to receive the two new units until 2032 and 2034. Although they are based on the design of the Class 212A, many systems will be newly developed or improved. At the centre of this is a state-of-the-art command and weapon deployment system from KTA Naval Systems, which can record and process the wealth of sensor information and thus provide the crew with improved situational awareness capabilities. The new class will also be able to network better with other units. German submarines have always been known for their difficult localisation and very quiet operation. The capabilities of the U 212A in this area will now be significantly enhanced by further reducing the signature. In doing so, the designers are also responding to the further development of underwater detection in recent decades.
The cooperation with the Norwegians will result in synergies in operations, logistics and maintenance. This will reduce operating costs and increase availability.
Text: mb; Photos: BAAINBw, TKMS
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