Germany, Norway Start Production of U212 Common Design Submarine

Norway and Germany have inaugurated a production facility for the construction of six Type 212 Common Design (CD) submarines.

The development comes two years after the signing of contracts with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).

Valued at approximately €5.5 billion, these contracts entail the delivery of two 212CD submarines to Germany and the remaining four to Norway. The agreements for the U212 Common Design (CD) were finalized on July 8, 2021, following extensive preparations and negotiations involving the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA), German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), and the contractor TKMS.

Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram (Centre Party) of Norway commented, “The first of the new submarines will be delivered to Norway in 2029. The contracts cover the acquisition of six submarines, with four designated for Norway and two for Germany.”

He also noted that discussions about constructing additional submarines are ongoing.

Furthermore, Norway and Germany plan to establish a joint life-cycle management office, staffed by personnel from both nations. This office will oversee the planning and execution of maintenance and upgrades for all six submarines.

A dedicated maintenance shipyard is currently under construction at the Haakonsvern Naval Base near Bergen, Norway. It is expected to be operational by the time the first submarine enters service in 2029. This facility will also serve as the headquarters for the joint life-cycle management office.

The 212CD submarine's displacement when surfaced is approximately 2,500 cubic meters. It has a length of around 74 meters, a beam (width) of approximately 10 meters, and stands at a height of about 13 meters.