The German and Norwegian defense ministers attended the start of production of the 212 CD program. Under the project, 212 CD-class submarines will be built. These will enter service with both armed forces as a joint program of the Royal Norwegian Navy and the German Navy. The order was placed in June 2021.
The 212CD program will mark the first time the navies of two Northern European nations will use identical submarines in their fleets. Consequently, the order calls for the delivery of two submarines for the German Navy and four for the Norwegian Navy. If the schedule can be met, the first boat will arrive at the Norwegian Navy in 2029. The German navy, on the other hand, can expect delivery in 2032 and 2034.
The six 212CD Class submarines represent a generation of their own. They are 74 meters long, 13 meters high and ten meters wide. The water displacement amounts to 2,500 cubic meters. In addition, compared with the predecessor Class 212A, the new submarines feature improved situational awareness, enhanced networkability with allied units and a reduced signature. In preparation for the order, ThyssenKrupp had already initiated investments of around 250 million euros in 2019. The shipbuilding hall opened at the ceremony on Sept. 7 will serve as a new production facility at the Kiel shipyard site.
Miguel López, CEO of thyssenkrupp AG, said: “The production complex that has been built here in Kiel in just two years is one of the most modern shipbuilding halls in the world.” Accordingly, he said, the investment strengthens the Kiel site, the Thyssenkrupp Marine division as a whole, and makes an important contribution to maritime security in troubled geopolitical times.
