1800-Ton Next-Generation U212NFS Submarine To Be Built For Italian Navy By Fincantieri

Keel-laying ceremony for the second U212NFS submarine was organised at the Muggiano Shipyard, which has constructed over 100 such vessels.

The yard is known for its excellence and expertise in building technologically advanced ships. It is slated for delivery by the end of this decade and is expected to have lithium-ion batteries for propulsion and a brand-new combat management system, which would enable it to remain hidden from enemies without being detected.

Its systems are designed to provide greater endurance, efficiency, and resilience to physical and cyber attacks. The advanced submarine is being built by Fincantieri for the Italian Navy and shows substantial improvement in design and other features compared to its predecessor, the U212A submarine.

This project aims to strengthen autonomous systems’ integration into the submarines being built and the subsequent vessels designed at Fincantieri and to enable the main contractor to boost the Italian industry’s abilities when it comes to building submarines.

The U212NFS class of submarines has a 1750 ton displacement and is better than the older ones, given its design maturity and technology, along with the integration of onboard systems.

Under this submarine program, four such units would be built, all for Italy. The first submarine of the class is in the keel-laying phase, which was held in February, with delivery estimated in 2029. The second submarine unit will be delivered the following year, in 2030.

The delivery schedule for the project changed after the contract between Fincantieri and OCCAR was amended at the beginning of this year.

The changes included new technological equipment, greater logistics support, and more high-tech equipment onboard the four submarines, with the last expected to be delivered in 2032. Fincantieri also brought changes to its schedule to meet the demands, which would allow it to build one submarine annually from 2029 till 2032.