Submarine
Type 212A submarine
The Type 212A is a diesel-electric attack submarine with fuel-cell air-independent propulsion, designed by HDW (now ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems) in Germany and in service since 2005. Germany operates six boats and Italy four.
Germany|ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (HDW) & NordseewerkeWhat Is the Type 212A submarine? Overview, History and Development
The first boat, U31, was launched in 2002 and commissioned in 2005. Germany has six (U31 to U36, the last delivered in 2016), and Italy has four: Salvatore Todaro (2006), Scirè (2007) and two improved boats from 2016. A boat displaces about 1,450 t surfaced and 1,830 t submerged, is 56 m long and reaches about 20 knots submerged, with a crew of 27. Nine Siemens PEM fuel cells let it stay submerged for up to about three weeks at low speed.
Armament is six 533 mm tubes with 13 DM2A4 Seehecht torpedoes (Black Shark in Italy) or mines. The non-magnetic steel hull makes it among the quietest conventional submarines. The larger Type 212CD, about 73 m and 2,500 t submerged, was ordered by Germany and Norway, with deliveries planned around 2029–2031. The export Type 214 serves in Greece, South Korea, Portugal and Türkiye. Unit cost is about €400–500 million. Rivals include Soryu, Scorpène and Kilo.
Type 212A submarine Specifications: Displacement, Speed, Armament and Crew
Type 212A submarine Variants and Versions Compared
Type 212A is the German and Italian fuel-cell submarine in service since 2005.
Type 212CD is the larger Common Design successor ordered by Germany and Norway.
Type 214 is the export derivative serving in Greece, South Korea, Portugal and Türkiye.
Which Countries Use the Type 212A submarine? Operators and Users
Germany
ItalyType 212A submarine FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How many Type 212A submarines are there?
There are ten Type 212A submarines: six in Germany and four in Italy. The German boats are U31 to U36, and the Italian boats include Salvatore Todaro and Scirè.
How long can the Type 212A stay underwater?
The Type 212A can stay submerged for up to about three weeks at low speed using its fuel-cell air-independent propulsion. It does not need to snorkel to recharge batteries during that time.
How much does a Type 212A submarine cost?
A Type 212A submarine costs about €400–500 million per boat according to hedged estimates. Final costs vary by customer and equipment fit.
Is the Type 212A a quiet submarine?
Yes, the Type 212A is among the quietest conventional submarines. It uses a non-magnetic steel hull and a permanently excited Siemens Permasyn motor, which keeps its acoustic signature low.
Type 212A vs Type 214: what is the difference?
The Type 214 is the export derivative of the Type 212A, with a similar hull and fuel-cell propulsion. It serves in Greece, South Korea, Portugal and Türkiye, where it is called the Reis class.
Does Türkiye use the Type 212A?
Türkiye does not use the Type 212A but operates the export Type 214 as the Reis class. Six boats are built under licence at Gölcük, with the first, Piri Reis, delivered in 2022.
