U212 NFS submarine
{{Short description|Attack submarine in the Italian Navy}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image = | Ship caption = }}{{Infobox ship class overview | Name = *U212 NFS
| Builders = Fincantieri S.p.A. | Operators = *Future operator:
| Class before = Sauro class submarine | Class after = Next Generation Submarine{{Cite web |last=Mauri |first=Paolo |date=5 June 2024 |title=La Marina italiana punta sugli U212 Evo: cosa potranno fare i nuovi sottomarini |url=https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/difesa/pi-sottomarini-marina-militare-italiana-arrivo-u212-evo-2330709.html |language=Italian}} | Subclasses = | Cost = *NFS1 and NFS2 (including training center and development): €1.35 billion{{cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/02/italys-u212nfs-near-future-submarine-contract-signed/|title=Italy's U212NFS Near Future Submarine Contract Signed|access-date=2024-08-09}}
|access-date=2024-08-09}} | In service range = | In commission range = | Total ships planned = 6 | Total ships building = 4 | Total ships completed = 0 | Total ships cancelled = | Total ships active = | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = | Ship type = Attack submarine | Ship displacement = * U212 NFS: {{convert|1600|t|LT}} surfaced
| Ship length = {{convert|59|m|ftin}} | Ship beam = {{convert|7|m|ftin}} | Ship height = {{convert|12|m|ftin}} | Ship decks = 2 | Ship power = | Ship propulsion = | Ship speed = | Ship range = | Ship endurance = | Ship test depth = | Ship boats = | Ship complement = 29 | Ship time to activate = | Ship sensors = *Sonar suite: Sphere-based Kaleidoscope 2.0 integrated sonar suite by ELAC SONAR{{Cite web|url=https://esut.de/en/2024/01/meldungen/46801/marina-militare-elac-baut-sonarsuite-fuer-boot-nr-3-u212-nfs/|title=Marina Militare: Elac builds sonar suite for boat #3 U212 NFS|date=January 10, 2024|website=esut.de}}
| Ship EW = RESM/CESM on mast by Elettronica
| Ship notes = }} |
As part of the development of the Italian Navy submarine force for the period 2025 - 2050, the U212 NFS (Near Future Submarine) and the U212 NFS EVO are being developed, for an introduction by 2036. By then, the Italian Navy will be equipped with four {{sclass|Todaro|submarine|4}} (the U212A), four U212 NFS, and two U212 NFS EVO.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-01 |title=Il futuro della componente subacquea della Marina Militare (2025-2050) – Analisi Difesa |url=https://www.analisidifesa.it/2024/06/il-futuro-della-componente-subacquea-della-marina-militare-2025-2050/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |language=it-IT}}
The Italian Navy is already preparing the development of the successor of the U212A, the NGS (New Generation Submarine) that will replace the U212A and that will start to be built from 2040. The Italian Navy is also developing a LDAUV (Large Displacement Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) to support the submarine force.
Project history
= U212 NFS =
In 2018 and 2019, the Italian Parliament released information regarding the funding of the successor of the 4 {{sclass|Sauro|submarine|4}} submarines in order to maintain an 8-submarine force.{{Cite web |last=Peruzzi |first=Luca |date=2020-12-10 |title=Italy's New Type U212 NFS Submarine Program Moving Forward with OCCAR |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/12/italys-new-type-u212-nfs-submarine-program-moving-forward-with-occar/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}
In November 2020, the Italian ministry of defence released their muti-year planning document (Documento Programmatico Pluriennale) for 2020-2022 It mentions the plan to procure four new submarines in two phases for a total programme cost estimated at €2.68 billion.{{Cite web |last=Peruzzi |first=Luca |date=2020-11-23 |title=New ships, submarines and weapon systems for Italian Navy |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/11/new-ships-submarines-and-weapon-systems-for-italian-navy/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}
The Italian Government mandated OCCAR to manage the U212 NFS programme on its behalf.
== Phase 1 ==
The phase 1 comprises:
- Development of the U212 NFS submarine class
- Procurement of 2 submarines
- Construction of a training center
- 10 years technical-logistic in-service support
In February 2021, OCCAR and Fincantieri S.p.A (lead contractor) signed the contract of the phase 1 for €1.35 billion.
== Phase 2 ==
The phase 2 of the programme has 2 submarines that were to be purchased as an option. It includes:
- Complementary development of the class
- Procurement of 2 submarines
- 10 years technical-logistic in-service support for the 2 additional submarines
In December 2022, OCCAR committed to a third U212 NFS submarine.{{Cite web |title=OCCAR - 3rd U212 NFS Unit Commitment Signed |url=https://www.occar.int/news/3rd-u212-nfs-unit-commitment-signed |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=www.occar.int}} In July 2023, the contract was signed for a value of €500 million, and a complementary budget of €160 million for additional developments was also included in the contract.
The fourth U212 NFS was ordered in June 2024 for a value of €500 million.{{Cite web |title=OCCAR - NFS 3 First Steel Cutting, Fourth Boat Option Activation, and Lithium Battery System Contract Amendment |url=https://occar.int/news/first-steel-cutting-ceremony-for-the-third-u212-near-future-submarine-nfs |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=occar.int}}
= U212 NFS EVO =
In June 2024, the Italian Navy unveiled its plan for the fleet development for the period 2025 - 2050. It includes the development of a sub-class of the U212 NFS which will be larger (> 2,000 tonnes) and which will integrate technologies in development for the successor of the {{sclass|Todaro|submarine|4}}, the NGS (Next Generation Submarine).{{Cite web |last=Peruzzi |first=Luca |date=2024-06-05 |title=Italy set to increase Submarine Force, Develop new U212 NFS EVO |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/06/italy-set-to-increase-submarine-force-develop-new-u212-nfs-evo/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}
Ships of the class
| class="sortable wikitable" border="1"
!Name !No. !Type !Builder !Contract !Laid down !Launched !Homeport |
| colspan="9" |{{navy|Italy}} |
|---|
| NFS1
|S530 | rowspan="4" |NFS | rowspan="4" |Fincantieri ({{ill|Muggiano, La Spezia|lt=|it|Muggiano (La Spezia)}}) | rowspan="2" |{{dts|26 February 2021|format=dmy|abbr=on}} |{{dts|11 January 2022|format=dmy|abbr=on}} {{Cite web |last=Team |first=ESD Editorial |date=2023-06-01 |title=Maintaining Deterrence and Defence: Italy's Improving Submarine Capability Strengthens NATO's Southern Flank |url=https://euro-sd.com/2023/06/articles/31371/maintaining-deterrence-and-defence-italys-improving-submarine-capability-strengthens-natos-southern-flank/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=euro-sd.com |language=en-US}} | style="text-align: center" |– | style="background: #CEF2E0"|{{dts|2027|format=dmy|abbr=on}} | rowspan="4" | {{ill|Taranto Submarine Base|lt=|it|Arsenale militare marittimo di Taranto }} |
| NFS2
|S531 |{{dts|6 June 2023|format=dmy|abbr=on}} {{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Naval News |date=2023-06-07 |title=Fincantieri starts construction of the 2nd U212 NFS submarine for the Italian Navy |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/06/fincantieri-starts-construction-of-the-2nd-u212-nfs-submarine-for-the-italian-navy/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}} | style="text-align: center" |– | style="background: #CEF2E0"|{{dts|2029|format=dmy|abbr=on}} |
| NFS3
|S532 |{{dts|21 July 2023|format=dmy|abbr=on}} |{{dts|27 June 2024|format=dmy|abbr=on}} | style="text-align: center" |– | style="background: #CEF2E0"|{{dts|2030|format=dmy|abbr=on}} |
| NFS4
| S533 |{{dts|27 June 2024|format=dmy|abbr=on}} | style="text-align: center" |– | style="text-align: center" |– | style="background: #CEF2E0"|{{dts|2032|format=dmy|abbr=on}} |
| style="background: #FFE18B" |–
| style="background: #FFE18B;text-align: center" |– | rowspan="2" style="background: #FFE18B;" |NFS EVO | rowspan="2" style="background: #FFE18B;" |Fincantieri ({{ill|Muggiano, La Spezia|lt=|it|Muggiano (La Spezia)}}) | style="background: #FFE18B;text-align: center" |– | style="background: #FFE18B;text-align: center" |– | style="background: #FFE18B;text-align: center" |– | rowspan="2" style="background: #FFE18B" |{{dts|2036|format=dmy|abbr=on}} | style="background: #FFE18B;text-align: center" |– |
| style="background: #FFE18B" |–
| style="background: #FFE18B;text-align: center" |– | style="background: #FFE18B;text-align: center" |– | style="background: #FFE18B;text-align: center" |– | style="background: #FFE18B;text-align: center" |– | style="background: #FFE18B;text-align: center" |– |
{{legend|#CEF2E0|Planned commissionning}}
{{legend|#FFE18B|Ships planned}}
Potential operators
; {{flag|Philippines}}
: TKMS and Fincantieri signed an agreement in April 2025 to offer the U212 NFS to the Philippines, as part of the Horizon III modernisation initiative.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-04-16 |title=Angebot U212 NFS für das philippinische Programm Horizon III |url=https://defence-network.com/angebot-u212-nfs-philippinen-horizon-iii/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |language=de}}