Construction of Second NFS Submarine for Italian Navy Begins

Fincantieri said production activities for the second of 2 new-generation submarines, as part of the U212NFS (Near Future Submarine) acquisition program of the Italian Navy, started today at the Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard.

The programme includes two vessels contracted in 2021 to be delivered in 2027 and 2029, a third submarine which has received parliamentary approval, as well as the creation of a Training Center. It is led by OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement, the international organization for joint armament cooperation).

The U212NFS submarines are being built with significant design modifications which will all be developed independently by Fincantieri in accordance with the requirements of the Navy. The program responds to 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.

The submarines carry out many different tasks ranging 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 offshore and underwater infrastructure, not least preserving marine ecosystems.