Political tensions and the winds of recession do not seem to be affecting the plans to strengthen Germany's military apparatus. In the past few days, the 4.7 billion euro programme aimed at the purchase of another 4 U-212CD submarines, in addition to the 2 ordered in 2021, has passed through the Bundestag, as part of a contract that also includes 4 boats for Norway. Oslo is interested in confirming the 2 under option since last summer.
The new German batch will feature some modifications which could increase costs and timelines, such as the Kongsberg NSM missile, in its environment-changing version with anti-ship and land-attack capabilities, and the development of a new German-Norwegian heavy torpedo.
While the boats destined for the Norwegian Navy, the construction of which started in 2023, with deliveries scheduled from 2029, the completion of the 2 German U-212CDs is scheduled between 2032 and 2034. The 4 additional boats, however, are included in the ‘Zielbild Marine 2035+’ programme drawn up in 2023, which plans to increase the number of submarines from 6 to 9, all based on the CD version in several progressively improved series.
Compared to the 6 U-212As built between 1998 and 2016, which will be gradually replaced, the new CD version is characterised by larger dimensions (73 m in length and 2,500 t, compared to 58 m and 1,850 t of the previous ones), and a higher-performance AIP qyqtem based on new technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries and, of course, the presence of a more advanced generation of sensors.
In the German Navy's plans for 2035 and beyond, it is also planned to deploy the new vessels together with advanced performance remote-controlled underwater vessels. In this field, mention should be made of the two-week test last November, during which the German Navy used an 11 m AUV type BLUEWHALE, developed by the Israeli ELTA System and IAI industries.
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