Type 212 Multi Purpose Submarine - Italy
U212 Submarine represents the result of the agreement between the German and the Italian MoD’s for a joint German-Italian Submarine Programme. Two submarines (Todaro and Scirè) were operational in 2006-2007. Two more units (Venuti and Romei) were in the delivery / commissioning phase a decade later. The Italian Navy decided in favor of a second batch of two HDW Class 212A submarines, which are built under licence by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri. That meant that the Italian Navy would soon also have four boats of this class available for operations. Delivery of the ships will be held respectively in 2015 and 2016. They will replace the unit and Sauro Pelosi, Prini, adopted in 1988 and 1989.
The 212A 2nd series units (Venuti and Romei), in fact, are characterized compared to the units belonging to the 1st series (Todaro and Scirè) by:
- greater autonomy
- new sonar system
- telecommunication system upgrade
- new generation weapon system based on the new Black Shark Advanced (BSA) heavy torpedo
All these characteristics make it possible to affirm that the submarines of the Todaro 2nd series class (type U212A) are the most advanced submarines ever made for the Italian Navy and at the moment among the most advanced conventional propulsion submarines in the world.
The telecommunications system ranges from VLF to SHF frequencies. The unit is equipped with surface and underwater detection sensors improved compared to previous units: ATLAS ELEKTRONIK CSU 90-138 sonar with CAS-FAS-PRS and TAS medium and low frequency sensors, SERO400 periscope system (attack periscope ) and OMS100 (non-penetrating discovery optronic tree), automatic radar detection and tracking system (ARPA) based on Kelvin & Hughes KH2007 radar system, AIS automatic identification system.
The Kongsberg MSI-90U Mk 2 command and control system allows data exchange link 11, link 16, includes electronic cartography systems (ECDIS, WECDIS) and, finally, allows the launch and guide wire of the new Leonardo heavy torpedo ( BSA / black shark Advanced). The BSA is a technologically advanced multi-mission weapon, with far greater performance (in terms of speed and autonomy) than the torpedoes currently supplied to the Navy and those of the same category in production in the world.
The potential of the Romei adheres perfectly to the requirements for the activities in which it will be employed by the Armed Force, including missions to control maritime traffic lines, monitoring of illegal activities, surveillance of areas of high national interest. In addition, for the fulfillment of the aforementioned operational tasks, the unit has increased its autonomy, which makes it capable of undertaking expedictionary skills in various operational theaters.
The Multi-year Defense Policy Document for the three-year period 2018-2020'sent to the Chamber on 15 October 2018 provided for the development of new submarines. This is the program that, allowing funds and technological developments, should lead to the construction of the new submarine based on the U212A project but with systems on board, including the propulsive one independent of the air, of national development and production with involvement of the Italian industrial chain and of the national research of the sector, starting from Fincantieri and the University of Genoa. The total costs of the program amounting to 2.35 billion euros, of which 806 million have been allocated so far (distributed over 13 years starting from 2018) for the start of activities, concern the development and construction of four new submarines in two series or lots and relative support in service.
The boats were intended to replace the most ancient "SAURO" class submarines in service. The planning identity is Italo-German construction of the new submarines makes it possible to achieve maximum interoperability and to achieve significant economies of scale, both in the acquisition and in the exercise phase, in the sectors of technical-logistical support and training.
On 26 February 2021 Fincantieri, one of the world’s leading shipbuilding groups and reference operator in the naval shipbuilding industry, and OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation en matiere d’Armement, the international organization for joint armament cooperation) signed the contract for the construction of 2 new-generation submarines. Such contract, in which Fincantieri will act as prime contractor, envisages an option for 2 additional units and is part of the new U212NFS (Near Future Submarine) acquisition program of the Italian Navy.
The total contract value for the first two vessels, including relevant logistics support, amounts to 1.35 billion euros. The project is an evolution of the U212A program carried out in cooperation with the German thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, which resulted in the production of 4 submarines for Italy – “Todaro”, “Scirè”, “Venuti” and “Romei”, delivered by Fincantieri between 2006 and 2017 – and 6 for Germany. According to highly reliable analyses, the technological content of these air-independent propulsion submarines determined the shift in the balance between nuclear and conventional vessels in the postwar period.
With the first two deliveries scheduled for 2027 and 2029, the U212NFS program stems from the need to secure adequate underwater spatial surveillance and control capacity, considering the future complex scenarios of underwater operations and that the operational lifetime of the 4 “Sauro” class submarines, currently in service, is drawing near. It also aims at upholding and further developing Fincantieri’s acquired strategic and innovative industrial know-how, as well as consolidating the technological lead attained by the company and its supply chain, enhancing the presence of technologically-advanced component parts developed by Italian industries on board.
The national submarines carry out many different tasks for the benefit of the community on a daily basis, responding to requests coming from the Government or the Nation’s main Alliances, NATO and EU. They range from purely military missions to operations pertaining to freedom of navigation, anti-piracy, keeping the energy supply routes safe (due to the presence of seabed resources or underwater infrastructure), observance of international law, fighting terrorism, defending external borders, and safeguarding maritime infrastructure, including essential off-shore and underwater infrastructure, not least detecting the presence of whales.
Fincantieri CEO, Giuseppe Bono, commented: “We are proud that the recognition of our skills by the Italian Navy and the German partner has brought about a change in the relations, thus securing – on the one hand – our role as design authority, on the other as prime contractor. We are going to take a real technological leap forward compared to the submarines of the previous class, starting with the design and the combat system developed along with Leonardo, which we are in charge of integrating on-board. This will allow Italy to continue being a main actor among the limited group of Countries that can build such advanced units”. Bono also added: “Once again, a qualified supply chain, made up of small and medium-sized enterprises of the sector, will benefit from the driving effect triggered by our activities, which will in turn generate manifest economic growth in terms of GDP, employment, and research and development advancement”.
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