German and Norwegian defense ministers Boris Pistorius and Bjørn Arild Gram jointly initiated the construction phase of the binational Type 212CD submarine program in Kiel, Germany.
The two ministers gave the starting signal for the construction of the lead boat in Kiel on September 12, announcing the start of the project’s “hot phase”.
The forthcoming Type 212CD (Common Design) submarines, derived from the well-established Type 212A, will feature enhanced sensor technology, extended operational range, and diminished acoustic presence, thereby bolstering protection against hostile surveillance.
A notable innovation lies in the command and weapon deployment system, adept at processing extensive data, ushering in novel capabilities for situational assessments and connectivity.
The contract, totaling approximately 5.5 billion euros, also encompasses supplementary logistic support and primarily simulator-based training equipment.
ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems will oversee the construction of these six identical vessels, with two allocated for Germany and four for Norway.
As per the present planning, TKMS is set to deliver the initial German vessel by 2032, while the Norwegian navy is scheduled to receive their inaugural submarine of the new class as soon as 2029.
“These submarines combine tried and tested technology and developments which will prepare us for the future, particularly in the field of sensor technology,” says Jörg Jährig, project manager at Germany’s MoD.
When comparing the 212A and 212CD submarine classes, notable differences include the 212CD’s greater length at around 73 meters compared to the 212A’s 56 meters, its wider width of approximately 10 meters versus the 212A’s 7 meters, and a higher height of about 13 meters in contrast to the 212A’s 11.5 meters.
Furthermore, the 212CD boasts a larger displacement of approximately 2,500 cubic meters when surfaced, whereas the 212A has a capacity of 1,450 tons.
Germany and Norway are also cooperating on missile purchases, with the German Bundeswehr having already placed an order for anti-ship guided missiles of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) type from the Norwegian firm Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace.
