Type |
Year of introduction |
Number of U-boats built |
Comments |
IA |
1934 |
2 |
Fleet going ocean boat modeled on World War I designs |
IIA |
1934 |
6 |
Prototype coastal patrol submarine |
IIB |
1935 |
20 |
Improved coastal patrol submarine |
IIC |
1937 |
8 |
Extended range coastal patrol submarine |
IID |
1939 |
16 |
Long range coastal patrol submarine |
III |
|
0 |
Design schematics created for a mine-layer submarine. Project was dropped due to design flaws |
IIIA |
|
0 |
Prototype small boat carrier designed to hold two fast torpedo boats. Project discontinued due to difficulties launching small boats in heavy seas |
IV |
|
0 |
First attempt at a designing a supply U-boat for replenishment at sea. Cancelled shortly after initial designs. |
V |
1940 |
1 |
Prototype boat, known as V-80, to test a chemical reaction engine. |
VI |
|
0 |
Prototype steam propulsion submarine |
VIIA |
1935 |
10 |
First practical post-World War I attack submarine |
VIIB |
1936 |
24 |
Standard attack submarine in the early months of World War II |
VIIC |
1938 |
568 |
Attack submarine "work horse" for the majority of World War II. |
VIIC (Flak) |
1942 |
4 |
Special variant of Type VII which removed the deck gun and added extra anti-aircraft guns |
VIIC/41 |
1941 |
91 |
Upgraded attack boat with several additional offensive and defensive features as well as better diving ability. |
VIIC/42 |
1942 |
0 |
Project was cancelled in lieu of contracts for the Type XXI electrical attack boats |
VIID |
1940 |
6 |
Mine layer submarine, few were produced |
VIIE |
|
0 |
Early designs indicate this was to be a deep diving submarine |
VIIF |
1941 |
4 |
Designed to be used as torpedo transport. |
VIII |
|
0 |
Intended as a fast attack submarine. Never went beyond initial designs |
IXA |
1936 |
8 |
First post World War I long range fleet ocean boat |
IXB |
1937 |
14 |
Standard pre-World War II fleet ocean boat |
IXC |
1939 |
54 |
Upgraded fleet ocean boat used in the opening years of World War II |
IXC/40 |
1940 |
87 |
Enhanced fleet ocean boat with better diving abilities |
IXD1 |
1940 |
2[1] |
Heavy diesel boat, suffered from numerous design flaws. Rebuilt as long range transports |
IXD2 |
1940 |
28 |
Heavy diesel engine long range fleet boat. Heaviest and largest of the IX series |
IXD/42 |
1942 |
2[2] (+ 4 cancelled) |
Attempt to upgrade the heavy diesel engine design. Never deployed operationally |
XA |
1939 |
0 |
Designed to be used as mine layer. Retooled as the XB transport boat |
XB |
1939 |
8 |
Long range transport boat |
XI |
1937 |
0 |
"Cruiser submarine" with large deck guns. Project was cancelled |
XII |
|
0 |
Initial designs only. Listed as "Advanced Fleet Ocean Boat". Never developed. |
XIII |
|
0 |
Initial designs only. Listed as "Advanced Coastal Boat". Never developed. |
XIV |
1940 |
10 |
Designed to be used as supply U-boat. Known by the nickname "Milk Cow" |
XV |
|
0 |
Initial designs only. Listed as "Long Range Transport Boat". Never developed. |
XVI |
|
0 |
Initial designs only. Listed as "Long Range Repair Boat". Never developed. |
XVIIA |
1942 |
4 |
Fast attack boat with chemical propulsion system |
XVIIB[3] |
1943 |
3 |
Upgraded version of the XVIIB with slightly better abilities |
XVIIG[4] |
1944 |
0 |
Upgraded version of the Type XVII. Boats were ordered but never deployed |
XVIIK |
|
0 |
Prototype for a closed cycle diesel engine submarine. Never advanced beyond initial designs |
XVIII |
1943 |
0 |
2 laid down, not completed. Intended for use as an advanced fast attack boat |
XIX |
|
0 |
Initial designs only. Listed as "Long range mine layer". Never developed. |
XX |
|
0 |
Prototype for a "Long range transport boat". Project cancelled. |
XXI |
1943 |
118 |
Most advanced U-boat of the Second World War. The first of the "electrical boat" designs |
XXII |
|
0 |
Prototype for an "Advanced coastal boat". Project cancelled. |
XXIII |
1943 |
61 |
Late war fast attack submarine, using the electrical boat design |
XXIV |
|
0 |
Initial designs only. Listed as "Advanced fleet ocean boat". Never developed. |
XXV |
|
0 |
Initial designs only. Listed as "Advanced coastal boat". Never developed |
XXVI |
|
0 |
Prototype for a "High speed attack boat". Project cancelled. |
XXVIIA |
1944 |
53 |
Midget submarine "Hecht" |
XXVIIB |
1944 |
285 |
Midget submarine "Seehund" |