View source for Type 212A submarine

{{Short description|Class of diesel-electric submarine}}
{{redirect|Type 212 submarine|other uses|Type 212CD submarine}}
{{redirect|Type 212 submarine|other uses|U212 NFS submarine}}
{{Use Oxford spelling |date=June 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = Type 212 submarine.svg
| Ship caption = 212A-class profile
}}
|-
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = U 34 in Fahrt.jpg
| Ship caption = ''U-34'' underway
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = 
| Builders = Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH ([[Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft|HDW]]), Fincantieri SpA
| Operators = *{{navy|GER}}
*{{navy|ITA}}
| Class before = [[Type 206 submarine]] (Germany), [[Sauro class submarine]] (Italy), [[Ula-class submarine]] (Norway)
| Class after =
| Subclasses = * [[Type 212CD submarine|Type 212CD]]
* [[U212 NFS submarine|U212 NFS]]
* [[Type 214 submarine|Type 214]]
* [[Invincible-class submarine|Type 2018SG]]
| Cost = {{Euro|280–560M|link=yes}}<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.kn-online.de/News/Aktuelle-Wirtschaftsnachrichten/Nachrichten-Wirtschaft/Riesenauftrag-fuer-TKMS-Kiel-baut-vier-U-Boote-fuer-Norwegen |title=TKMS baut sechs neue U-Boote in Kiel |date=3 February 2017 |language=de |trans-title=TKMS builds six new U-boats in Kiel |access-date=9 April 2017 |archive-date=10 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410052001/http://www.kn-online.de/News/Aktuelle-Wirtschaftsnachrichten/Nachrichten-Wirtschaft/Riesenauftrag-fuer-TKMS-Kiel-baut-vier-U-Boote-fuer-Norwegen |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| Built range = 1998–2017
| In service range = 
| In commission range = 2005–present
| Total ships planned = 10
| Total ships building = 
| Total ships completed = 10
| Total ships cancelled = 
| Total ships active = 10
| Total ships laid up = 
| Total ships lost = 
| Total ships retired = 
| Total ships preserved = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship class = 
| Ship type = 
| Ship displacement = *{{convert|1524|t|LT}} surfaced
*{{convert|1830|t|LT}} submerged
| Ship length = *{{convert|56|m|ftin}}
*{{convert|57.20|m|ftin}} (2nd batch)
| Ship beam = *{{convert|6.80|m|ftin}}
| Ship height = 
| Ship draught = *{{convert|6.40|m|ftin}}
| Ship depth = 
| Ship decks = 2
| Ship power = 1 × MTU-396 16V (2,150 kW); 1 × Siemens ''Permasyn'' [[electric motor]] Type FR6439-3900KW (2,850 kW)
| Ship propulsion = *1 × [[MTU Friedrichshafen|MTU]] 16V 396 [[marine diesel engine]]<ref name="MTU">{{cite web|url=http://mtu-online.com/en/prod-services/proddies/proddiesnorm/proddies396/|title=MTU 16V 396 diesel engine|access-date=2006-10-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206203437/http://www.mtu-online.com/en/prod-services/proddies/proddiesnorm/proddies396/|archive-date=6 December 2006}}</ref>
*9 × HDW/Siemens PEM fuel cells, 30–40&nbsp;kW each (U-31)
*2 × HDW/Siemens PEM fuel cells each with 120&nbsp;kW (U-32, U-33, U-34)<ref>Holger Naaf: ''[http://vzb.baw.de/publikationen/kolloquien/0/Vortrag_7_Brennstoffzellenantrieb.pdf Die Brennstoffzelle auf U 212 A (PDF, German).]'' Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau, Wehrtechnische Dienststelle für Schiffe und Marinewaffen Eckernförde, 23. September 2008.</ref>
*1 × Siemens ''Permasyn'' [[electric motor]] 1700 kW, driving a single seven-bladed [[skewback propeller]]
| Ship speed = *{{convert|12|kn}} surfaced
*{{convert|20|kn}} submerged<ref name="marine.de">{{cite web|url=http://www.marine.de/portal/poc/marine?uri=ci%3Abw.mar.waffenun.uboote.212a|title=Uboote Klasse 212A|access-date = 2013-08-19}}</ref>
| Ship range = *{{convert|8000|nmi}} at {{convert|8|kn}}
| Ship endurance = *3 weeks without [[Submarine snorkel|snorkeling]], 12 weeks overall
| Ship test depth = *{{convert|250|m|ft}}
*crush depth over 700 m (2,296 ft)<ref name="bwplan2007">{{cite web |url=http://www.marine.de/01DB070000000001/CurrentBaseLink/W26YVFGA481INFODE |title=Deutsche Marine TV-Interview|access-date=2007-04-17 |language=de}}</ref>
| Ship boats = 
| Ship complement = 5 officers, 22 men
| Ship time to activate = 
| Ship sensors = CSU 90 (DBQS-40FTC), Sonar: ISUS90-20, Radar: Kelvin Hughes Type 1007 I-band nav.,
| Ship EW = EADS FL 1800U suite
| Ship armament = 6 × {{convert|533|mm|in|0}} [[torpedo tube]]s (in 2 forward pointing groups of 3) with 13<ref name="dagbladet.no">{{cite web|url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2010/11/18/nyheter/ubat/undervannsbat/14353353/ |title=Dette er ubåtsjefens våte drøm - nyheter |publisher=Dagbladet.no |date=2010-11-18 |access-date=2011-12-27}}</ref> [[DM2A4]], [[Black Shark torpedo]], [[IDAS (missile)|IDAS missiles]] and 24 external [[naval mine]]s (optional)
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

The '''Type 212A''' is a class of [[diesel-electric]] [[attack submarine]] developed by [[Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft]] AG (HDW) for the [[German Navy]] ({{langx |de |U-Boot-Klasse 212 A}}), and the [[Italian Navy]] where it is known as the '''''Todaro''''' class.<ref name="Todaro">{{cite web|url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/sommergibili/classetodaro.asp|title=Classe Todaro page at Marina Militare website|access-date = 2010-04-27}}</ref> It features [[diesel propulsion]] and an additional [[air-independent propulsion]] (AIP) system using [[Siemens]] [[proton-exchange membrane fuel cell|proton-exchange membrane]] (PEM) [[compressed hydrogen]] [[fuel cell]]s. The submarines can operate at high speed on diesel power or switch to the AIP system for silent slow cruising, staying submerged for up to three weeks with little exhaust heat. The system is also said{{by whom? |date=June 2025}} to be vibration-free and virtually undetectable.{{cn |date=June 2025}}

The Type 212 is the first fuel cell propulsion system equipped submarine series.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.twz.com/a-deep-dive-into-germanys-submarine-force |title= A Deep Dive Into Germany's Submarine Force |author= Matus Smutny |date=21 June 2023|website= The War Zone }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.hisutton.com/U212-AIP-Submarine.html |title= U212-AIP-Submarine |author= H I Sutton |date=26 May 2020|website= Covert Shores}}</ref>

==Development==
At the beginning of the 1990s the [[German Navy]] was seeking a replacement for the [[Type 206 submarine]]s. Initial study started on a [[Type 209 submarine|Type 209]] improved design, with [[Air-independent propulsion|AIP]] capability, called '''Type 212'''.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=14 March 2016 |title=Salvatore Todaroklasse onderzeeboten (Italië) |url=https://marineschepen.nl/schepen/todaro.html |website=Marineschepen.nl |language=Dutch}}</ref>

The final programme started in 1994 as the navies of Germany and Italy began working together to design a new conventional submarine, respectively to operate in the shallow and confined waters of the [[Baltic Sea]] and in the deeper waters of the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. The two different requirements were mixed into a common one and, because of significant updates to the design, the designation has been changed to ''Type 212A'' since then.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

On 22 April 1996 a [[Memorandum of Understanding]] gave the start to the cooperation for building four vessels for the [[German Navy]] and four vessels for the [[Italian Navy]]. Its main aim was the construction of identical boats and the start of a collaboration in logistic and life-cycle support for the two navies.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

The German government placed an initial order of four ''Type 212A'' submarines in 1998. The [[German Submarine Consortium]] built them at the shipyards of HDW and [[Nordseewerke|Thyssen Nordseewerke]] [[Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung|GmbH]] (TNSW) of [[Emden]]. Different sections of the submarines were constructed at both sites at the same time and then half of them were shipped to the respective other yard so that both HDW and Thyssen Nordseewerke assembled two complete submarines each.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

In the same year the Italian government placed an order of two ''U212A'' submarines built by [[Fincantieri]] for the [[Italian Navy]] ({{langx |it |Marina Militare}}) at [[Lerici|Muggiano]] shipyard, designated as the Todaro class.<ref name="Todaro" />

The German Navy ordered two additional, improved submarines in 2006, to be delivered from 2012 on,{{update inline |date=June 2025 |reason=Its over a decade later now, so what happened? }} {{convert|1.2|m}} longer to give additional space for a new reconnaissance mast.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

On 21 April 2008 the Italian Navy ordered the optional second batch of submarine, in the same configuration of the original ones. Some upgrading should involve materials and components of commercial derivation, as well as the software package of the CMS.{{update inline |date=June 2025 |reason=Its almost TWO decades later now, so what happened? }} The intention is to keep the same configuration of the first series and reduce maintenance costs.{{update inline |date=June 2025 |reason=Its been many many years, so what happened? }}

The export-oriented [[Type 214 submarine]] succeeds the [[Type 209 submarine]] and shares certain features with the Type 212A, such as the AIP fuel cell propulsion.

Poland announced in December 2013 they would lease, rather than buy, two U212-A's, on account of not meeting "requirements of tactical and technical equipment developed by the military, including in particular the propulsion system, missile weapons and rescue system".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thelocal.de/20131129/poland-gives-german-subs-thumbs-down|title=Poland gives thumbs down to German subs|author=Tom Bristow|date=29 November 2013|publisher=The Local}}</ref>{{update inline |date=June 2025 |reason=Again, what happened? }}

On 22 December 2015 Admiral [[Giuseppe De Giorgi]], Commander in Chief of the [[Italian Navy]], announced plans to build another two U212A submarines. In December 2022, an amended contract was signed for production of a third NFS Submarine based on the design of the previous two submarines. The third submarine (NFS 3) is planned to be delivered at the end of 2030, while a contract for the fourth boat was anticipated in 2023.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web | url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/12/u212-nfs-near-future-submarine-2nd-contract-amendment-awarded/ | title=U212 NFS (Near Future Submarine) 2nd Contract Amendment Awarded | date=26 December 2022 }}</ref>

In October 2016, during the celebration of the commissioning of ''U-36'', the German Navy announced the intent to procure another batch of two U212As within the next decade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-tv.de/politik/Bundeswehr-bekommt-neue-U-Boote-article18827671.html|title=Bundeswehr bekommt neue U-Boote|first=n-tv|last=Nachrichtenfernsehen}}</ref>

===Type 212CD===
{{main|Type 212CD submarine}}

In February 2017, it was announced that the [[Royal Norwegian Navy]] would procure four submarines based on the Type 212. Initial plans envisaged service entry between 2025 and 2028,<ref>{{cite news |last=Berg Bentzrød |first=Sveinung |date=3 February 2017 |title=Forsvaret kjøper nye ubåter fra Tyskland |trans-title=The Armed Forces are purchasing new submarines from Germany |url=http://www.aftenposten.no/norge/Forsvaret-kjoper-nye-ubater-fra-Tyskland-614432b.html |language=no |newspaper=[[Aftenposten]] |location=[[Oslo]] |publisher=Aftenposten AS |access-date=3 February 2017 }}</ref> but the Norwegian 2020 Defence Plan later {{update after |2030 |text=envisaged service entry "around 2030".}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/3a2d2a3cfb694aa3ab4c6cb5649448d4/long-term-defence-plan-norway-2020---english-summary.pdf|title=The defence of Norway. Capability and readiness|website=regjeringen.no|access-date=31 July 2023}}</ref> This "CD" (Common Design) variant of the Type 212 will consist of six submarines, with the German Navy ordering two new boats alongside the four Norwegian vessels.<ref name="auto"/> In March 2021 an agreement was reached between Norway and Germany to initiate the acquisition program, pending approval by the [[Bundestag]]. The contract for construction of the six boats was signed in July 2021 with delivery of the first boat to the Royal Norwegian Navy {{update after |2029 |text=anticipated in 2029.}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/security/2021/03/norways-new-subs-especially-designed-covert-shallow-water-operations|title = Norway's new subs especially designed for covert, shallow water operations| date=24 March 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/07/tkms-to-build-six-type-212cd-submarines-for-german-and-norwegian-navies/|title=TKMS to Build Six Type 212CD Submarines for German and Norwegian Navies|date=8 July 2021}}</ref>

== Design ==
Partly owing to the "X" arrangement of the stern planes, the ''Type 212'' is capable of operating in as little as {{convert|17|m}} of water. This is a long-standing requirement for German submarine designs, enabling them to pass a strategic point in the Baltic Sea (the [[:de:Kadetrinne|Kadetrinne]]) submerged.<ref>Raimund Wallner In: ''MarineForum.'' Nr. 4, 2006, S.&nbsp;10–18, {{ISSN|0172-8547}}.</ref> This allows it to come closer to shore than most contemporary submarines. [[German commando frogmen|Commando]]s operating from the boat can surface {{fact span |date=June 2025 |text=close to the beach and execute their mission more quickly and with less effort.}}

The prismatic hull cross-section and smoothly faired transitions from the hull to the [[Sail (submarine)|sail]] improve the boat's [[Stealth technology|stealth]] characteristics.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

=== Air-independent propulsion ===
[[File:U-Boot U32.jpg|thumb|U-32]]
Although hydrogen-oxygen propulsion had been considered for submarines as early as World War I, the concept was not very successful until recently due to fire and explosion concerns. In the ''Type 212'' this has been countered by storing the fuel and oxidizer in tanks outside the crew space, between the [[Submarine hull#Pressure hull|pressure hull]] and outer [[Submarine hull#Light hull|light hull]]. The gases are piped through the pressure hull to the [[Proton-exchange membrane fuel cell|fuel cells]] as needed to generate electricity, but at any given time there is only a very small amount of gas present in the crew space.

In October 2024 it was reported that a new lithium-ion battery system was developed by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, which will be installed and tested on a existing Type 212A submarine.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://swzmaritime.nl/news/2024/10/15/tkms-equips-german-submarine-with-own-battery/|title= TKMS equips German submarine with own battery |author= Mariska Buitendijk |date=15 October 2024|website= SWZ&#124;Maritime}}</ref>

=== Weapons ===
[[File:U-Boot U31.JPG|thumb|''U-31'' of the [[German Navy]] in [[Kiel]] harbor]]
[[File:U-boat U33.jpg|thumb| ''U-33'' in [[Tallinn]] harbor, Estonia]]

The ''Type 212A'' is capable of launching the [[fiber-optic cable|fiber optic]]-guided<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WTGER_PostWWII.php|title=Torpedoes of Germany Post-World War II|first=Tony|last=DiGiulian|website=www.navweaps.com}}</ref> [[DM2A4]] {{lang |de |Seehecht}} ({{lit |[[Merlucciidae|Seahake]]}}) heavyweight torpedo,<ref>{{cite web |author=Jaime Karremann |date=28 June 2022 |title=Type 212A onderzeeboten (Duitsland) |url=https://marineschepen.nl/schepen/type-212A.html |website=Marineschepen.nl |language=Dutch}}</ref> the [[Whitehead Sistemi Subacquei|WASS]] [[Black Shark Torpedo|BlackShark]] torpedo and short-range missiles from its six torpedo tubes, which use a water ram expulsion system. Future capability may include tube-launched cruise missiles.

The short-range [[IDAS (missile)|IDAS]] missile (based on the [[IRIS-T]] missile), primarily intended for use against air threats as well as small and medium-sized sea and near-land targets, is currently{{when? |date=June 2025}} being developed by [[Diehl BGT Defence]] to be fired from Type 212's torpedo tubes. IDAS is fiber-optic guided and has a range of approximately {{convert|20|km}}. Four missiles fit in one torpedo tube, stored in a magazine.<ref name="IDAS">{{cite web|url=http://www.diehl-bgt.de/index.php?id=559&L=1|title=Diehl BGT IDAS missile|access-date = 2008-07-11 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080710164614/http://www.diehl-bgt.de/index.php?id=559&L=1 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2008-07-10}}</ref> First deliveries of IDAS for the [[German Navy]] were scheduled from 2014 on.{{update inline |date=June 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marine.de/portal/a/marine/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLNzKODzI3BcmB2d7m5vqRUJYTQtQsBCoKUhuUkqrv65Gfm6rvrR-gX5AbGlHu6KgIAKG9jmg!/delta/base64xml/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS80SVVFLzZfMjNfUjc1?yw_contentURL=/01DB070000000001/W26VLDD5902INFODE/content.jsp|title=Erprobung des Lenkflugkörpers IDAS, german|accessdate=31 July 2023|archive-date=17 September 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120917183053/http://www.marine.de/portal/a/marine/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLNzKODzI3BcmB2d7m5vqRUJYTQtQsBCoKUhuUkqrv65Gfm6rvrR-gX5AbGlHu6KgIAKG9jmg!/delta/base64xml/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS80SVVFLzZfMjNfUjc1?yw_contentURL=/01DB070000000001/W26VLDD5902INFODE/content.jsp|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

A 30{{nbsp}}mm auto-cannon called [[Muraena gun|Muräne]] ([[moray eel|moray]]) to support diver operations and to give warning shots was being considered presumably sometime before 2014 and possibly still is, as well. The cannon, probably a version of the [[Rheinmetall RMK30]], will be{{when? |date=June 2025}} stored in a retractable mast and can be fired without the boat surfacing. The mast will, presumably from 2014 onwards, also be designed to contain three [[Aladin (UAV)|Aladin UAVs]] for reconnaissance missions. This mast is likely to be mounted on the second batch of Type 212 submarines for the German Navy.{{cn|date=August 2025}}

==Operations==
In April 2006, the [[German Navy]]'s ''U-32'' sailed from the [[Baltic Sea]] to [[Naval Station Rota]] in Spain in two weeks, travelling {{convert|1500|nmi}} without surfacing nor snorkelling.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.navalreview.ca/wp-content/uploads/public/vol3num4/vol3num4art11.pdf
|title=Submarine Developments: Air-Independent Propulsion
|first=Doug
|last=Thomas
|work=Canadian Naval Review
|year=2008
|volume=3
|issue=4
|access-date=26 May 2013
|archive-date=4 March 2016
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031330/http://www.navalreview.ca/wp-content/uploads/public/vol3num4/vol3num4art11.pdf
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

The [[Italian Navy]]'s S 526 ''Todaro'' was deployed, for over six months in 2008, to the United States for the CONUS 2008 exercise with the [[United States Navy]].
[[File:Submarine Scire (S-527).jpg|thumb|right|''Scirè'' arrives on a port visit at [[New London, Connecticut]], on 27 August 2009]]
The Italian Navy's S 527 ''Scirè'' was deployed, for over five months in 2009, to the United States for the CONUS 2009 exercise with the US Navy.

Between 1 September 2012 and 13 February 2013, the Italian Navy's S 526 ''Todaro'' was deployed to the [[Gulf of Aden]], [[Arabian Sea]], [[Gulf of Oman]] and the Indian Ocean for the first time.

In 2013, while on the way to participate in naval exercises in US waters, the [[German Navy]]'s ''U-32'' established a new record for non-nuclear submarines with 18 days in submerged transit without [[Submarine snorkel|snorkel]]ling.<ref>[https://www.thyssenkrupp.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/press-release-47511.html?id=182402 ''Naming ceremony of fuel cell submarine “U36” for the German Navy in Kiel''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726134901/https://www.thyssenkrupp.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/press-release-47511.html?id=182402 |date=26 July 2018 }}, ThyssenKrupp press release, 15 May 2013.</ref>

On 15 October 2017, the German Navy's ''U-35'' suffered damage to its rudder fins while conducting dives off the Norwegian coast.<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/germany-does-not-have-one-working-submarine-23688
|title=Germany Does Not Have One Working Submarine
|first=Sebastien
|last=Roblin
|work=The National Interest
|year=2017
|access-date=2017-12-21
}}</ref>

== List of boats ==
{{See also|Type 212CD submarine#List of boats}}{{See also|U212 NFS submarine#Ships of the class}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
![[Pennant number|Pennant<br />number]]
!Name
!Laid<br />down
!Launched
!Commissioned
|-
!colspan=5|{{navy|Germany|name=}}
|-
| S181
| {{GS|U-31|S181|2}}
| 1 July 1998
| 20 March 2002
| 19 October 2005
|-
| S182
| {{GS|U-32|S182|2}}
| 11 July 2000
| 4 December 2003
| 19 October 2005
|-
| S183
| {{GS|U-33|S183|2}}
| 30 April 2001
| 13 September 2004
| 13 June 2006
|-
| S184
| {{GS|U-34|S184|2}}
| 17 December 2001
| May 2006
| 3 May 2007
|-
| S185
| {{GS|U-35|S185|2}}
| 21 August 2007
| 15 November 2011
| 23 March 2015
|-
| S186
| {{GS|U-36|S186|2}}
| 19 August 2008
| 6 February 2013
| 10 October 2016
|-
!colspan=5|{{navy|Italy}}
|-
| S 526
| ''{{ill|Salvatore Todaro (S 526)|lt=Salvatore Todaro|it|Salvatore Todaro (S 526)}}''
| 3 July 1999
| 6 November 2003
| 29 March 2006
|-
| S 527
| {{ship|Italian submarine|Scirè|S 527|2}}
| 27 May 2000
| 18 December 2004
| 19 February 2007
|-
| S 528
| ''{{ill|Pietro Venuti|it|Pietro Venuti (S 528)}}''
| 9 December 2009
| 9 October 2014
| 6 July 2016
|-
| S 529
| ''{{ill|Romeo Romei (S 529)|lt=Romeo Romei|it|Romeo Romei (S 529)}}''
| 2012
| 4 July 2015
| 11 May 2017<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.fincantieri.com/en/media/press-releases/2017/fincantieri-delivers-the-submarine-romeo-romei|title=Fincantieri delivers The submarine "Romeo Romei"|publisher=Fincantieri|location=Trieste|date=11 May 2017|access-date=11 May 2017}}</ref>
|}

=== Potential operators ===

Canada has expressed interest in the 212CD.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Murray |title=Canada narrows choices for new submarines to German and South Korean bidders |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/carney-germany-trade-security-submarines-1.7617600 |website=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref>

Colombia expressed its interest for the ship in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webinfomil |date=2024-06-21 |title=Armada de Colombia se interesa por los submarinos alemanes U212A y conversó con ThyssenKrupp sobre futuros proyectos |url=https://www.webinfomil.com/2024/06/armada-de-colombia-se-interesa-por-los.html |access-date=2024-12-21}}</ref>

== General characteristics ==
{{Prose|section|date=November 2024}}
[[File:U Boot 212 HDW 2.jpg|thumb|In dock at HDW/Kiel]]
[[File:Varotodaro.jpg|thumb|''Todaro'' in dock at [[Fincantieri]], Muggiano.]]
* Displacement: 1,450 [[tonne]]s surfaced, 1,830 tonnes submerged 2,500 [[tonne]]s surfaced for 212CD
* Length: 56&nbsp;m (183.7&nbsp;ft), 57.2&nbsp;m (187.66&nbsp;ft) (2nd batch) 73 m for 212CD
* Beam: 7&nbsp;m (22.96&nbsp;ft) 10 m for 212CD
* Draft: 6&nbsp;m (19.68&nbsp;ft) 7 m for 212CD
* Propulsion:
** 1 [[MTU Friedrichshafen|MTU]] 16V 396 [[diesel-engine]]<ref name="MTU" />
** 9 HDW/[[Siemens]] PEM fuel cells, 30–40&nbsp;kW each (U-31)
** 2 HDW/Siemens PEM fuel cells 120&nbsp;kW (U-32, U-33, U-34)
** 1 Siemens ''Permasyn'' [[electric motor]] 1700&nbsp;kW, driving a single seven-bladed [[skewback propeller]]
* Speed: 20&nbsp;[[knot (unit)|knots]] (37&nbsp;km/h) submerged, 12&nbsp;knots surfaced<ref name="marine.de"/>
* Depth: over {{cvt|700|m}}<ref name="bwplan2007"/>
* Range:
** 8,000 nautical miles (14,800&nbsp;km, or 9,196 miles) at 8&nbsp;knots (15&nbsp;km/h)
* Endurance: 3 weeks without [[Submarine snorkel|snorkeling]], 12 weeks overall
* Armament:
** 6 x 533&nbsp;mm [[torpedo tube]]s (in 2 forward-pointing asymmetric groups of left 4 + right 2 ) with 13<ref name="dagbladet.no"/> [[torpedo]]es or 24 tube mines<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marine-portraits.de/deutsche-marine-bundesmarine/uboot-u-boot-submarine/klasse-212a/|title=marine-portraits.de - DEUTSCHE MARINE - UBOOTE KLASSE 212A - Auswahlseite|first=Klaus|last=Gaeth|website=www.marine-portraits.de}}</ref>
** [[IDAS (missile)|IDAS missiles]]
** 24 external [[naval mine]]s (optional)
* [[Countermeasure]]s:
** Torpedo defence system ''Tau'', 4 launchers, 40 [[Radar jamming and deception|jammer]]s/[[decoy]]s
* Sensors:
** [[STN Atlas]] ''DBQS40'' [[sonar]] suite:
*** ''TAS-3'' passive low-frequency [[towed array sonar]] (deployed from sail)
*** ''FAS-3'' passive low-, and medium-frequency hull-mounted flank array sonar
*** ''MOA 3070'' mine detection sonar
** [[Periscope]]s:
*** [[Carl Zeiss AG|Carl Zeiss]] ''SERO 14'', with [[FLIR]] and optical [[Rangefinding telemeter|rangefinder]]
*** Carl Zeiss ''SERO 15'', with [[laser rangefinder]]
** [[Riva Calzoni]] periscope masts and [[Submarine snorkel|snorkeling systems]]
** [[Kelvin Hughes]] ''Type 1007'' [[I band (NATO)|I band]] navigation [[radar]]
** [[EADS]] ''FL 1800U'' [[Electronic warfare support measures|ESM]] suite
** [[Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei|WASS]] [[hydrophone]]s
** [[Avio]] ''GAUDI'' [[autopilot]] and hydraulic systems
** [[Kongsberg Gruppen|Kongsberg]] ''MSI-91'' combat system
* Crew complement: 23–27 (incl. 5 officers)

==See also==
*[[List of submarine classes in service]]
*[[List of active German Navy ships]]
*[[List of active Italian Navy ships]]

'''Submarines of similar comparison'''
* [[Type 214 submarine]] - A class of export-oriented diesel-electric attack-submarines, also developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently operated by the [[Hellenic Navy]], the [[Portuguese Navy]], the [[Republic of Korea Navy]] and the [[Turkish Naval Forces]].
* [[Invincible-class submarine|Type 218SG submarine]] - A class of extensively-customised diesel-electric attack-submarines developed ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently operated by the [[Republic of Singapore Navy]].
* {{sclass|Dolphin|submarine|1}} - A class of extensively-customised diesel-electric attack-submarines developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently operated by [[Israeli Navy|Israel]].
* {{sclass|Dakar|submarine|1}} - A unique class of diesel-electric attack-submarines developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently being built for Israel.
* {{sclass2|Scorpène|submarine|1}} - A class of export-oriented diesel-electric attack-submarines, jointly developed by [[Naval Group]] and [[Navantia]] and currently operated by the [[Chilean Navy]], the [[Royal Malaysian Navy]], the [[Indian Navy]] and the [[Brazilian Navy]].
* [[S-80 Plus-class submarine|S-80 Plus submarine]] - A class of conventionally-powered attack-submarines, currently being built by Navantia for the [[Spanish Navy]].
* [[Blekinge-class submarine]] is a class of submarine developed by [[Kockums]] for the [[Swedish Navy]]
* [[KSS-III submarine]] - A class of diesel-electric attack and [[ballistic missile submarine]]s, built by [[Hanwha Ocean]] and [[HD Hyundai Heavy Industries]] and operated by the [[Republic of Korea Navy]].
* {{sclass|Sōryū|submarine|1}} - A class of diesel-electric attack-submarines, built by [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]] for the [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]].
* {{sclass|Taigei|submarine|1}} - A class of diesel-electric attack submarines currently being built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries]] for the [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]]
* [[Type 039A submarine]] - A class of diesel-electric attack-submarines operated by the [[People's Liberation Army Navy]] (China) and being built for the navies of the [[Royal Thai Navy]] and the [[Pakistan Navy]].
* {{sclass2|Lada|submarine|1}} - A class of diesel-electric attack-submarines being built for the [[Russian Navy]].

== References ==
{{Reflist |30em}}

== General references ==
{{Refbegin |30em |indent=yes}}
*{{cite book | last = Karr | first = Hans | title = Deutsche Uboote seit 1956 | publisher = Motorbuch | location = Stuttgart | year = 2014 | isbn = 9783613037083 |language=de}}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.marine.de/portal/poc/marine?uri=ci%3Abw.mar.waffenun.uboote.212a German Bundeswehr official Type 212A web page]
*[http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/type_212/ naval-technology.com&nbsp;— U212/U214 Attack Submarines, Germany]
*[http://www.janes.com/defence/news/jni/jni060928_1_n.shtml German Type 212A deal bolsters submarine force] Jane's Navy International, 28 September 2006
*[https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/mezzi/forze-subacquee/Pagine/ComandanteSalvatoreTodaro-S526.aspx Todaro (S 526)] Marina Militare website

{{Subject bar |auto=y |portal1=Germany |portal2=Italy |portal3=Engineering}}
{{Military of Germany}}
{{Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft}}
{{Type 212 submarines}}
{{Modern German submarines}}
{{Ship classes of the Deutsche Marine|noshipclass=yes}}
{{Ship classes of the Marina Militare|noshipclass=yes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Type 212 Submarine}}
[[Category:Type 212 submarines| *]]
[[Category:Attack submarines]]