The Italian parliament has approved funds for the construction of the third U212 NFS (Near Future Submarine) for the Italian Navy.
Pending an administrative procedure, Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri will build the submarine alongside the first two boats contracted in 2021.
The first two submarines will be delivered in 2027 and 2029, according to the company, which revealed that the steel cutting ceremony for the second unit is scheduled for June 6 this year. Italy also has the option to buy a total of four new boats, after placing an order for the first two units under a 1.35 billion euro deal from February 2021.
The parliamentary approval comes after the program for the next-generation submarine passed the critical design review in February this year.
The NFS submarines are upgraded variants of the four Type 212 air-independent propulsion (AIP) boats already in service with the Marina Militare. The first four boats were delivered in cooperation with Germany’s thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) between 2006 and 2017.
“Within the NFS program we are both design authority and prime contractor. The prosecution of the program acknowledges Fincantieri’s technological and managerial leadership, in full continuity with the pillars set out in our business plan,” Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer of Fincantieri, commented.
The submarines are set to incorporate more technology from the Italian defense industry, with Leonardo already having received a 150 million euro contract to provide a new combat management system (CMS) for the two boats. In addition to the CMS, Leonardo will also provide a simulation and training laboratory at the Italian Navy’s Submarine Centre in Taranto and a package of logistic support including staff training and a set of spare parts.
U212 NFS will also be fitted for the deployment of long-range deep strike cruise missiles and Leonardo’s Black Shark advanced heavyweight torpedoes. These systems will also offer the ability of being retrofitted to the previous boats.
