Type 212CD submarine explained

The Type 212CD class (for Common Design) is a submarine class developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for the Norwegian and German navies. The class is derived from the Type 212 submarine class,[1] but will be significantly larger than the 212 class.

Project history

A €5.5 billion contract for development and procurement of the six submarines was placed with TKMS on 8 July 2021[2] [3] after the German and Norwegian governments reached an agreement in principle in March.[4] This followed an extensive period of negotiation between industry and the two governments which took place after Norway had, in 2017, decided on an extensive naval partnership with Germany and TKMS for their replacement project.[5] The Ula-class submarines were also built by TKMS/HDW.

In Kiel, a German-Norwegian Building Program Office (BPO) is to be set up and tasked with representing the two states in matters of design, construction and acceptance. Management will alternate between a German and Norwegian representative, with a third of the staff being Norwegian.

Afterwards, a Lifetime Management Program Office (LMPO) is to be established in Haakonsvern Naval Base. Management will also alternate, with a third of the staff being German. The office is to handle questions concerning maintenance and repairs of the submarines. Norway will establish maintenance facilities for both countries submarines. Construction of the first submarine started in September 2023.[6] [7] [8]

According to the Norwegian Armed Forces Long-Term Plan adopted by the Norwegian Parliament on June 4th 2024, Norway will purchase two more submarines in addition to the four submarines already ordered from Germany.[9] [10]

Norwegian and German U212CD (Common Design) submarines are to be based together in Southern Norway. A Norwegian Ministry of Defence official told Janes on 7 June 2024 that a new base for the U212CD, including infrastructure, would be built at Haakonsvern, where Norway's current Ula-class submarines are already based. The new infrastructure will include pier, maintenance, and test facilities for the U212CD.[11]

Critical design review

In August 2024, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence announced having completed the design review of the Type 212CD programme.[12] As a result of completing the Critical Design Review (CDR), the production of the submarines will be intensified.[13] [14]

Submarine design

The submarines will be based on, but nearly twice the size of the current Type 212A class and features a new stealth design - the hull will be diamond-shaped to deflect emissions by the active sonars[15] common on modern anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships.

Propulsion

Just like the Type 212A, the submarines will be fitted with a hydrogen fuel cell-based air-independent propulsion system, although they will receive two (MTU 4000 series) diesel engines instead of one. The overall endurance is to be increased as well.[16]

Command and control systems

A new combat system ("ORCCA") to be developed by kta naval systems, a joint venture between TKMS' naval electronics division Atlas Elektronik and Norwegian manufacturer Kongsberg will be installed on the boats[17] and is claimed to allow the analysis of larger amounts of sensor data as well as to improve interoperability with allied forces. The first batch of German Type 212 submarines already uses the Kongsberg-developed MSI-90U Mk1+ combat system.

Sensors

Two optronics masts including sensors from Hensoldt (OMS 150 and OMS 300) will be used instead of the hull-penetrating periscope of the previous U212A class for search, surveillance and attack functions.[18] [19] A Hensoldt panoramic surveillance system will be installed while Kongsberg will contribute the active SA9510S MKII Mine Avoidance and Navigation Sonar as well as echo sounders for navigation.[20]

Weapons

The submarines will feature four tubes for DM2A4 heavyweight torpedoes and Germany plans to fit the IDAS air-defense missile to theirs.

List of boats

The submarines are being procured by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency Forsvarsmateriell (six submarines)[21] and the German Armed Forces Procurement Agency BAAINBw (two submarines). In September 2024 it was reported that Germany and Norway are considering expanding their joint order of Type 212CD submarines.[22] It is speculated that Norway is contemplating ordering two more Type 212CD submarines, while Germany is considering four more Type 212CD submarines.[23]

NameNo.Order in classStatusContractLaid downLaunchedComm.Notes
(2 ordered + 4 to 7 planned)
S1873rdUnder contract [24] –– –
S1885th––
–––Minimum of 4 planned future fleet [25] ––––As part of the Zielbild der Marine ab 2035 (target of the fleet from 2035), Germany plans to have a total of 6 to 9 Type 212 CD, therefore 4 to 7 additional submarines to be ordered.
–––––––
–––––––
–––––––
–––Up to 3 additional expected ––––
–––––––
–––––––
(4 ordered + 2 planned to be ordered)
TBDTBD1stUnder construction [26] [27] [28] –
TBDTBD2nd––
TBDTBD4thUnder contract ––
TBDTBD6th–– [29]
TBDTBD–Approved for order by parliament [30] ––––Approved in, waiting for order confirmation [31]
TBDTBD–––––

Operators

Future operators

Germany (2)
  • 2 ships to be delivered in 2032[32] and 2034.
    Norway (4 on order + 2 approved for order)
  • In March 2021, the Norwegian Navy ordered 4 ships.[33] The contract was signed in July 2021.[34]
  • In June 2023, the Norwegian Defence Chief recommended to increase the order to 6.[35] In June 2024, this purchase was approved by the parliament, and a contract is to be signed.[36]
  • The submarines are to be delivered from 2029 to 2035.[37]

    Potential contracts

    Canada (12)
  • Germany and Norway offered an Arctic protection partnership to Canada, which includes the Type 212 CD for Canada.[38] In July 2024, Canada publicly unveiled its plan for the future of its navy, which includes up to 12 submarines.[39]
    Germany (4 to 7 additional)
  • According to the Zielbild Marine 2035+ plan, the German will operate from 6 to 9 Type 212 CD, and it includes the successors to the Type 212A, which would mean 4 to 7 additional Type 212 CD to be built.[40]
  • As of July 2024, the defence minister announced that they were looking for 4 additional submarines to be ordered in 2024. As of August 2024, Germany and Norway approved the design review, and both nations negotiate together to order each 6 submarines in total, with a decision planned for 2024.[41]
    Poland (3)
  • The Polish Navy is planning to purchase 3 attack submarines as part of its Orka programme. The mentioned competitors include the A26 Blekinge,[42] [43] the KSS-III,[44] the S-80,[45] the Scorpene SSK and the Type 212CD.[46]

    Failed bids

    Netherlands
  • The Type 212CD was in competition with the pair Saab Kockums / Damen with a Blekinge derivative submarine and with Naval Group who proposed the Orka-class. Naval Group won the competition in April 2024 and should build 4 ships if approved by the parliament.[47]

    See also

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: The new submarines . Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems . 30 September 2021 .
    2. https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organisation/ausruestung-baainbw/aktuelles/deutsch-norwegische-u-boote-und-seeziel-flugkoerper-5109534 Neue U-Boote und Seeziel-Flugkörper für die Marine
    3. Web site: 2021-07-08. TKMS To Build Six Type 212CD Submarines For German And Norwegian Navies. 2021-10-19. Naval News. en-US.
    4. Web site: Vavasseur. Xavier. 2021-03-23. Norway and Germany Reach Agreement on 212CD Submarine Contract. 2021-10-19. Naval News. en-US.
    5. Web site: Norway Selects Germany & TKMS as Strategic Partner for Ula-class Submarine Replacement. 2021-10-19. Navy Recognition. 3 February 2017 . en-gb.
    6. Web site: Richardson . Jack . 2021-07-09 . TKMS Milestones Announced . 2022-05-15 . European Security & Defence . en-US.
    7. Web site: Dalløkken . Per Erlien . Nå starter bygginga av ny ubåt – krever at Norge må ha flere enn fire . 6 September 2023 . Teknisk Ukeblad . 8 September 2023 . Norwegian.
    8. Web site: Byggingen av Norges nye ubåt er i gang . 12 September 2023 . Forsvarets Forum . 12 September 2023 . Norwegian.
    9. Web site: New Norwegian Long Term Plan on Defence: "A historic plan" . 5 April 2024 .
    10. Web site: Hele Stortinget enige om langtidsplanen for Forsvaret – pressekonferanse klokken 16.30 . 4 June 2024 .
    11. Web site: Norwegian and German U212CD submarines to be based together in Norway . 11 June 2024 .
    12. Web site: 2024-08-23 . 212 CD submarine programme: Critical Design Review (CDR) completed . 2024-08-23 . en.
    13. Web site: TKMS: Design phase of German-Norwegian 212CD class submarines completed . Fatima Bahtić . 19 September 2024. Naval Today.
    14. Web site: Milestone reached in German-Norwegian Type 212CD submarine program . . 19 September 2024. Naval News.
    15. Web site: Type 212CD Submarines, Germany . naval-technology.com . 30 September 2021 .
    16. Web site: ES&T editorial team. The next step on the way to the German-Norwegian submarine U212CD. 2021-10-19. esut.de. 9 July 2021 . en.
    17. Web site: Kongsberg wins contract to deliver ORCCA combat system elements. 2021-10-19. Navy Recognition. 8 July 2021 . en-gb.
    18. Web site: admin . 2022-01-14 . Hensoldt Awarded to Supply Optronic for Norwegian and German Type 212CD Submarines . 2022-05-15 . MilitaryLeak . en-US.
    19. Web site: HENSOLDT equips Norwegian and German submarines with next-generation optronics suite . Hensoldt.net . 13 January 2022 . Hensoldt . 16 January 2022.
    20. Web site: 2021-12-07 . Kongsberg Sonar for Norwegian and German Type 212CD Boats . 2022-05-15 . MOENCH PUBLISHING GROUP . en-US.
    21. Web site: Myrseth . Silje Haugen . 2024-06-04 . Enighet om en ny lang tidsplan for Forsvaret . 2024-06-04 . NRK . nb-NO.
    22. Web site: Germany and Norway weigh up submarine order amid CDR climax . Harry McNeil . 19 September 2024. Naval Technology.
    23. Web site: Plannen voor vier extra Duitse onderzeeboten concreter . Tobias Kappelle . 2 December 2024. Marineschepen.nl . Dutch.
    24. Web site: Ceremony for the major submarine contracts between Norway and Germany . 2024-08-23 . www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com . en.
    25. Web site: Luck . Alex . 2023-03-10 . German Navy mulling drone-heavy force structure looking towards 2035 and beyond . 2024-08-23 . Naval News . en-US.
    26. Web site: ES&T editorial team . 2023-09-12 . Produktionsstart der U-Boote der City-Klasse - Nächster Schritt auf dem Weg zum deutsch-norwegischen U-Boot U212CD . 2024-08-23 . esut.de . en.
    27. Web site: Designfasen for de tysk-norske ubåtene er fullført . 2024-08-30 . Norsk . no.
    28. Web site: Staff . Naval News . 2024-08-23 . German-Norwegian Type 212CD submarine programme achieves CDR milestone . 2024-08-23 . Naval News . en-US.
    29. Web site: regjeringen . May 2023 . Page 17 Future acquisitions for the Norwegian defence sector 2023–2030 .
    30. Web site: 2024-06-05 . U212 CD – Norwegen soll zwei weitere U-Boote bekommen . 2024-08-23 . de-DE.
    31. Web site: Willett . Dr Lee . 2024-06-03 . Type 212CD AIP will change Underwater Game for Norwegian Navy, says Submarine CO . 2024-08-23 . Naval News . en-US.
    32. Web site: Manaranche . Martin . 8 July 2021 . TKMS to Build Six Type 212CD Submarines for German and Norwegian Navies . 30 September 2021 . navalnews.com.
    33. Web site: Ceremony for the major submarine contracts between Norway and Germany . 2024-06-05 . www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com . en.
    34. Web site: Ganta . Himaja . 2021-07-09 . TKMS to build six Type 212CD submarines for Germany and Norway . 2024-06-05 . Naval Technology . en-US.
    35. Web site: 2023-06-09 . Norway: Defence Chief recommends to order additional submarines - Defence Industry Europe . 2024-06-05 . en.
    36. Web site: 2024-06-05 . U212 CD – Norwegen soll zwei weitere U-Boote bekommen . 2024-06-05 . de-DE.
    37. Web site: Nilsen . Thomas . 24 March 2021 . Norway's new subs especially designed for covert, shallow water operations . 30 September 2021 . The Barents Observer.
    38. Web site: Deutschland und Norwegen schlagen Kanada maritime Partnerschaft vor . 11 May 2024 .
    39. Web site: Staff . Naval News . 2024-07-11 . Canada launches process to acquire up to 12 conventionally-powered submarines . 2024-07-15 . Naval News . en-US.
    40. Web site: Luck . Alex . 2023-03-10 . German Navy mulling drone-heavy force structure looking towards 2035 and beyond . 2024-03-22 . Naval News . en-US.
    41. Web site: 2024-08-26 . Verhandlungen: Mehr U-Boote U 212CD für Deutschland . 2024-08-27 . de-DE.
    42. Web site: 2023-10-19 . Okręt podwodny A26 nadal w programie "Orka" . 2024-07-15 . defence24.pl . pl.
    43. Web site: 2020-09-07 . Another Saab Seminar on Submarines: Poland in the Background . 2024-07-15 . defence24.com . pl.
    44. Web site: 2024-05-30 . Hanwha Ocean offers KSS-III submarine and industry cooperation to Poland . 2024-07-15 . en.
    45. Web site: 2023-08-08 . Polish "Orka" Submarine Procurement Gains Weight (and Bids) . 2024-07-15 . defence24.com . pl.
    46. Web site: Thomas . Richard . 2023-12-01 . Hanwha to offer KSS III submarines for Poland's restarted Orka programme . 2024-07-15 . Naval Technology . en-US.
    47. Web site: Defensie . Ministerie van . 2024-03-15 . Contract for new submarines provisionally awarded to Naval - News item - Defensie.nl . 2024-05-13 . english.defensie.nl . nl-NL.

    This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Type 212CD submarine".

    Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.