Type 212CD submarine

The Type 212CD class (for Common Design) is a submarine class developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for the Norwegian and German navies. The class is derived from the Type 212 submarine class,^[19] but will be significantly larger than the 212 class.

Class overview
Builders	ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), Kiel and Wismar[1][2]
Operators	Royal Norwegian Navy  German Navy
Preceded by	Ula class (Norway) Type 212A (Germany)
Planned	Total: 12 to 15 Norway: 6 [3] Germany: 6 to 9 [4]
On order	Total: 10[5][6][7][8] Germany: 6[5] Norway: 4 (+2 approved by parliament)
Building	2
General characteristics
Type	Attack submarine
Displacement	2,500 t (2,500 long tons)[9] surfaced, 2,800 t (2,800 long tons) submerged
Length	73 m (239 ft 6 in)
Beam	10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Draught	7 m (23 ft 0 in)
Propulsion	Lithium battery New 4th gen AIP PEM fuel cells (HDW) Diesel engines: 2 MTU 4000 [de][10]
Speed	> 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Endurance	41 days
Sensors & processing systems	Combat system [11] ORCCA supplied by kta naval systems (consortium TKMS, Atlas Elektronik, Kongsberg) Optical sensors: [11] Hensoldt OMS 150 and OMS 300 optronics masts Hensoldt i360°OS panoramic surveillance system Sonars: [12][13] Combat sonar suite: not defined yet Mine avoidance and navigation: Kongsberg SA9510S MkII Sea bed navigation: EM2040 Mil and EA640 echosounders
Armament	Up to 14 torpedoes, missiles and drones Torpedoes: 4 × 533 mm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes CHWT (Common Heavy Weight Torpedo), a successor to the DM2A4 Hake heavy torpedoes[14] Seaspider anti-torpedo torpedo [15] Missiles: Anti-air / anti light vessel: IDAS[15] Under consideration: NSM-SL,[16] 3SM Tyrfing[17][18] Unmanned underwater vehicle: IAI BlueWhale potentially[14]

Project history

A €5.5 billion contract for development and procurement of the six submarines was placed with TKMS on 8 July 2021^[20][21] after the German and Norwegian governments reached an agreement in principle in March.^[22] This followed an extensive period of negotiation between industry and the two governments which took place after Norway had, in 2017, decided on an extensive naval partnership with Germany and TKMS for their Ula-class replacement project.^[23] The Ula-class submarines were also built by TKMS/HDW.

In Kiel, a German-Norwegian Building Program Office (BPO) is to be set up and tasked with representing the two states in matters of design, construction and acceptance. Management will alternate between a German and Norwegian representative, with a third of the staff being Norwegian.^{[citation needed]}

Afterwards, a Lifetime Management Program Office (LMPO) is to be established in Haakonsvern Naval Base. Management will also alternate, with a third of the staff being German. The office is to handle questions concerning maintenance and repairs of the submarines. Norway will establish maintenance facilities for both countries submarines.^[24] Construction of the first submarine started in September 2023.^[25][26][27]

According to the Norwegian Armed Forces Long-Term Plan adopted by the Norwegian Parliament on June 4, 2024, Norway will purchase two more submarines in addition to the four submarines already ordered from Germany.^[28][29]

Norwegian and German U212CD (Common Design) submarines are to be based together in Southern Norway. A Norwegian Ministry of Defence official told Janes on 7 June 2024 that a new base for the U212CD, including infrastructure, would be built at Haakonsvern, where Norway's current Ula-class submarines are already based. The new infrastructure will include pier, maintenance, and test facilities for the U212CD.^[30]

Critical design review

In August 2024, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence announced having completed the design review of the Type 212CD programme.^[31] As a result of completing the Critical Design Review (CDR), the production of the submarines will be intensified.^[32][33]

Submarine design

The submarines will be based on, but nearly twice the size of the current Type 212A class and features a new stealth design - the hull will be diamond-shaped to deflect emissions by the active sonars^[34] common on modern anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships.^{[citation needed]}

Propulsion

Just like the Type 212A, the submarines will be fitted with a hydrogen fuel cell-based air-independent propulsion system, although they will receive two (MTU 4000 series) diesel engines instead of one. The overall endurance is to be increased as well.^[24]

Command and control systems

A new combat system ("ORCCA") to be developed by kta naval systems, a joint venture between TKMS' naval electronics division Atlas Elektronik and Norwegian manufacturer Kongsberg will be installed on the boats^[35] and is claimed to allow the analysis of larger amounts of sensor data as well as to improve interoperability with allied forces. The first batch of German Type 212 submarines already uses the Kongsberg-developed MSI-90U Mk1+ combat system.^{[citation needed]}

Sensors

Two photonics masts including sensors from Hensoldt (OMS 150 and OMS 300) will be used instead of the hull-penetrating periscope of the previous U212A class for search, surveillance and attack functions.^[36][37] A Hensoldt panoramic surveillance system will be installed while Kongsberg will contribute the active SA9510S MKII Mine Avoidance and Navigation Sonar as well as echo sounders for navigation.^[38]

Weapons

The submarines will feature four tubes for DM2A4 heavyweight torpedoes and Germany plans to fit the IDAS air-defense missile to theirs.^{[citation needed]} In December 2024 it was reported that the Bundestag passed funding for the submarine launched version of the IDAS Missile.^[39]

List of boats

The submarines are being procured by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency Forsvarsmateriell (six submarines)^[40] and the German Armed Forces Procurement Agency BAAINBw (two submarines). In September 2024 it was reported that Germany and Norway are considering expanding their joint order of Type 212CD submarines.^[41] It is speculated that Norway is contemplating ordering two more Type 212CD submarines, while Germany is considering four more Type 212CD submarines.^[42] On 19 December 2024 it was reported that the German government had signed a contract with TKMS for the construction of four more Type 212CD submarines.^[43][44]

Name	No.	Order in class	Status	Contract	Laid down	Launched	Comm.	Notes
Deutsche Marine (6 ordered + 3 planned)
U-37	S187	3rd	Under contract[45]	30 Aug 2021[45]	–	–	2031[45]	–
U-38	S188	5th			–	–	2034[45]
U-39	S189	–	Under contract[5]	19 Dec 2024[5]	–	–	–	–
U-40	S190	–			–	–	–
U-41	S191	–			–	–	–
U-42	S192	–			–	–	–
TBD	TBD	–	Up to 3 additional expected [46]	–	–	–	–	As part of the Zielbild der Marine ab 2035 (target of the fleet from 2035), Germany plans to have a total of 6 to 9 Type 212 CD, therefore 4 to 7 additional submarines to be ordered.[46]
TBD	TBD	–		–	–	–	–
TBD	TBD	–		–	–	–	–
Royal Norwegian Navy (4 ordered + 2 planned to be ordered)
TBD	TBD	1st	Under construction [47][48]	30 Aug 2021[45]	12 Sep 2023[47]	2027[49]	2029[45]	–
TBD	TBD	2nd			–	–	2030
TBD	TBD	4th	Under contract [45]		–	–	2033
TBD	TBD	6th			–	–	2035[50]
TBD	TBD	–	Approved for order by parliament [51]	–	–	–	–	Approved in June 2024, waiting for order confirmation [52]
TBD	TBD	–		–	–	–	–

  Planned commissionning

  Ships planned

Operators

Future operators

Germany (6)

2 boats to be delivered in 2032^[53] and 2034.^[53]

In December 2024, the German parliament approved the purchase for 4 additional submarines of this type. The contract was also signed in December 2024.^[5]

Norway (4 on order + 2 approved for order)

In March 2021, the Norwegian Navy ordered 4 boats.^[54] The contract was signed in July 2021.^[55]

In June 2023, the Norwegian Defence Chief recommended to increase the order to 6.^[56] In June 2024, this purchase was approved by the parliament, and a contract is to be signed.^[57]

The submarines are to be delivered from 2029 to 2035.^[58]

Potential contracts

Canada (12)

Germany and Norway offered an Arctic protection partnership to Canada, which includes the Type 212 CD for Canada.^[59] In July 2024, Canada publicly unveiled its plan for the future of its navy, which includes up to 12 submarines.^[60] On August 26, 2025 the Type 212CD was shortlisted alongside the KSS-III as the only qualified options.^[61]

Germany (3 additional)

According to the Zielbild Marine 2035+ plan, the German will operate from 6 to 9 Type 212 CD, and it includes the successors to the Type 212A, which would mean up to 3 additional Type 212 CD to be ordered.^[62]

Poland (3)

The Polish Navy is planning to purchase 3 attack submarines as part of its Orka programme. The mentioned competitors include the A26 Blekinge,^[63][64] the KSS-III,^[65] the S-80,^[66] the Scorpene SSK and the Type 212CD.^[67]

Failed bids

Netherlands

The Type 212CD was in competition with the pair Saab Kockums / Damen with a Blekinge derivative submarine and with Naval Group who proposed the Orka-class. TKMS had offered an expeditionary variant of the Type 212CD submarine to the Netherlands; the Type 212CD E.^[68][69] This variant has a surface displacement of c. 3,100 tons and a submerged displacement of c. 3,450 tons.^[70] In addition, the boat has a length of more than 80 meters.^[9] Naval Group won the competition in April 2024 and should build 4 ships if approved by the parliament.^[71]

See also

• Type 214 submarine - A class of export-oriented diesel-electric attack-submarines, also developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently operated by the navies of Greece, Portugal, South Korea and Turkey.
• Type 218SG submarine - A class of extensively-customised diesel-electric attack-submarines developed ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently operated by Singapore.
• Dolphin-class submarine - A class of extensively-customised diesel-electric attack-submarines developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently operated by Israel.
• Dakar-class submarine - A unique class of diesel-electric attack-submarines developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently being built for Israel.
• KSS-III submarine: A class of diesel-electric attack and ballistic missile submarines, built by Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and operated by the Republic of Korea Navy.
• Scorpène-class submarine - A class of export-oriented diesel-electric attack-submarines, jointly developed by Naval Group and Navantia and currently operated by the navies of Chile, Malaysia, India and Brazil.
• S-80 Plus submarine - A class of conventionally-powered attack-submarines, currently being built by Navantia for Spain.
• Sōryū-class submarine - A class of diesel-electric attack-submarines, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for Japan.
• Type 039A submarine - A class of diesel-electric attack-submarines operated by China and being built for the navies of Thailand and Pakistan.
• Lada-class submarine - A class of diesel-electric attack-submarines being built for Russia.