A €5.5 billion contract for development and procurement of the six submarines was placed with TKMS on 8 July 2021[16][17] after the German and Norwegian governments reached an agreement in principle in March.[18] 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 theirUla-class replacement project.[19] TheUla-class submarines were also built by TKMS/HDW.
InKiel, 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.[citation needed]
Afterwards, a Lifetime Management Program Office (LMPO) is to be established inHaakonsvern 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.[20] Construction of the first submarine started in September 2023.[21][22][23]
According to the Norwegian Armed Forces Long-Term Plan adopted by the Norwegian Parliament on June 4, 2024, Norway will purchase two more submarines in addition to the four submarines already ordered from Germany.[24][25]
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.[26]
In August 2024, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence announced having completed the design review of the Type 212CD programme.[27] As a result of completing the Critical Design Review (CDR), the production of the submarines will be intensified.[28][29]
Just like the Type 212A, the submarines will be fitted with ahydrogen fuel cell-basedair-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.[20]
A new combat system ("ORCCA") to be developed bykta naval systems, a joint venture between TKMS' naval electronics divisionAtlas Elektronik and Norwegian manufacturerKongsberg will be installed on the boats[31] 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.[citation needed]
TwoPhotonics masts including sensors fromHensoldt (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.[32][33] 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.[34]
The submarines will feature four tubes forDM2A4 heavyweight torpedoes and Germany plans to fit theIDASair-defense missile to theirs.[citation needed] In December 2024 it was reported that the Bundestag passed funding for the submarine launched version of the IDAS Missile.[35]
The submarines are being procured by the Norwegian Defence Materiel AgencyForsvarsmateriell (six submarines)[36] and the German Armed Forces Procurement AgencyBAAINBw (two submarines). In September 2024 it was reported that Germany and Norway are considering expanding their joint order of Type 212CD submarines.[37] It is speculated that Norway is contemplating ordering two more Type 212CD submarines, while Germany is considering four more Type 212CD submarines.[38] On 19 December 2024 it was reported that the German government had signed a contract with TKMS for the construction of four more Type 212CD submarines.[39][40]
As part of theZielbild 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.[42]
In December 2024, the German parliament approved the purchase for 4 additional submarines of this type. The contract was also signed in December 2024.[3]
In March 2021, the Norwegian Navy ordered 4 boats.[50] The contract was signed in July 2021.[51]
In June 2023, the Norwegian Defence Chief recommended to increase the order to 6.[52] In June 2024, this purchase was approved by the parliament, and a contract is to be signed.[53]
The submarines are to be delivered from 2029 to 2035.[54]
Germany and Norway offered an Arctic protection partnership to Canada, which includes the Type 212 CD for Canada.[55] In July 2024, Canada publicly unveiled its plan for the future of its navy, which includes up to 12 submarines.[56]
According to theZielbild Marine 2035+ plan, the German will operate from 6 to 9 Type 212 CD, and it includes the successors to theType 212A, which would mean up to 3 additional Type 212 CD to be ordered.[57]
The Type 212CD was in competition with the pairSaab Kockums /Damen with aBlekinge derivative submarine and with Naval Group who proposed theOrka-class. TKMS had offered an expeditionary variant of the Type 212CD submarine to the Netherlands; the Type 212CD E.[63][64] This variant has a surface displacement of c. 3,100 tons and a submerged displacement of c. 3,450 tons.[65] In addition, the boat has a length of more than 80 meters.[7] Naval Group won the competition in April 2024 and should build 4 ships if approved by the parliament.[66]
Type 214 submarine - A class of export-oriented diesel-electric attack-submarines, also developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently operated by the navies ofGreece,Portugal,South Korea andTurkey.
Type 218SG submarine - A class of extensively-customised diesel-electric attack-submarines developed ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently operated bySingapore.
Dolphin-class submarine - A class of extensively-customised diesel-electric attack-submarines developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently operated byIsrael.
Dakar-class submarine - A unique class of diesel-electric attack-submarines developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently being built for Israel.
^In English, theRoyal Norwegian Navy is the larger military branch that includes both theCoast Guard and theNavy Fleet. However, in Norwegian, the larger branch is called theSea Defence, and the termNavy refers to the Navy Fleet.
Deutsche Marine (6 ordered + 3 planned)
Royal Norwegian Navy (4 ordered + 2 planned to be ordered)
Germany (6)
Norway (4 on order + 2 approved for order)
Canada (12)
Poland (3)
Netherlands
