Type 212CD submarine


The Type 212CD class is a submarine class developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems for the Norwegian Navy|Norwegian] and German navies. The class is derived from the Type 212 submarine class, 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 after the German and Norwegian governments reached an agreement in principle in March. 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. The Ula-class submarines were also built by TKMS/HDW.
In Kiel, a German-Norwegian Building Program Office 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 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.
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.
Norwegian and German U212CD 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.

Critical design review

In August 2024, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence announced having completed the design review of the Type 212CD programme. As a result of completing the Critical Design Review, the production of the submarines will be intensified.

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 common on modern anti-submarine warfare 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 diesel engines instead of one. The overall endurance is to be increased as well.

Command and control systems

The first batch of German Type 212A uses the MSI-90U Mk 2 CMS combat system which was developed by Kongsberg.
A new combat system 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 and is claimed to allow the analysis of larger amounts of sensor data as well as to improve interoperability with allied forces. The contract was signed in December 2025.

Sensors

Two photonics masts including sensors from Hensoldt will be used instead of the hull-penetrating periscope of the previous U212A class for search, surveillance and attack functions. 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.

Weapons

The submarines will feature four tubes for DM2A5 heavyweight torpedoes and Germany plans to fit the IDAS air-defense missile to theirs. In December 2024 it was reported that the Bundestag passed funding for the submarine launched version of the IDAS Missile.

List of boats

Operators

Future operators

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Potential contracts

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Failed bids

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