TSAMTO, December 11. According to the tender information published on the EU's official website on December 9, the Italian defense Ministry sent a request for the purchase of 4 new u212 NFS (Near Future Submarine) class submarines, as well as related support.
The request was sent through the organization for cooperation in the field of arms procurement (OCCAR-organization conjointe de cooperation en matiere d'armement).
As reported Navyrecognition.com, a Type-212 (U212) non-nuclear submarine, known in Italy as the Salvatore Todaro class, developed by the German company Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW) for the German and Italian Navies. Currently, four Type-212 submarines are in service with the Italian Navy and six with the German Navy.
The u212 NFS Batch-III is a further development of the previously built Salvatore Todaro-class submarines. The submarine will be equipped with an updated air-independent power plant with Italian-made lithium-ion fuel cells, which will make them one of the most inconspicuous submarines in the world.
It is assumed that the improved project will feature an extended hull of 1.2 m, as well as a number of other new technologies introduced in the second batch of submarines of the German Navy to increase fuel reserves. The new platform will also be equipped with an updated set of combat systems, a new configuration of combat information center, updated gas, modern torpedoes and missiles.
Currently, the Italian Navy has 8 submarines in service: four Impruvd Sauro class and four Type-U212A class. The Sauro-class submarines are scheduled to be decommissioned during 2022.
According to information from open sources, the new submarines can be built by the Italian company Fincantieri under license from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). Plans for the Italian Navy include the purchase of two more Type-U212A submarines as an option.
