U212 NFS submarine

As part of the development of the Italian Navy submarine force for the period 2025 - 2050, the U212 NFS (Near Future Submarine) and the U212 NFS EVO are being developed, for an introduction by 2036. By then, the Italian Navy will be equipped with four Todaro class (the U212A), four U212 NFS, and two U212 NFS EVO.^[8]

Class overview
Name	U212 NFS U212 NFS EVO
Builders	Fincantieri S.p.A.
Operators	Future operator:  Italian Navy
Preceded by	Sauro class submarine
Succeeded by	Next Generation Submarine[1]
Cost	NFS1 and NFS2 (including training center and development): €1.35 billion[2] NFS3: €500 million (+ €160 million of budget for additional developments)[3] NFS4: €500 million[4]
Built	Since 2022[5]
Planned	6
Building	4
Completed	0
General characteristics
Type	Attack submarine
Displacement	U212 NFS: Surfaced: 1,600 tonnes (1,600 long tons) Submerged: 1,780 tonnes (1,750 long tons) U212 NFS Evo: Submerged: 2,000 tonnes (2,000 long tons)
Length	59 metres (193 ft 7 in)
Beam	7 metres (23 ft 0 in)
Height	12 metres (39 ft 4 in)
Decks	2
Propulsion	Diesel generator: MTU 16V-396 AIP: PEM fuel cells Lithium Battery System (LBS) Propulsion motor: Permasyn (Siemens) Propeller: Fixed pitch, low noise
Complement	29 (+ capacity for 8 special forces)
Sensors & processing systems	Sonar suite: Sphere-based Kaleidoscope 2.0 integrated sonar suite by ELAC SONAR[6] FAS (flank array sonar) CAS (cylindrical array sonar) MAS (mine avoidance sonar) CIA (Cylindrical intercept array) ONA HYD (own noise analysis hydrophones) SBE 1 (sonar beacon / distress pinger) SB 3050 2G (multi-beam echosounder) VE 5900 (naval echosounder) UT3000 2G (underwater communication system) Masts supplied by L3Harris and Calzoni:[7] Communication electro-optical system RESM/CESM Systems: New Italian combat system by Leonardo Autopilot system by Avio Aero
Electronic warfare & decoys	RESM/CESM on mast by Elettronica[7]
Armament	Torpedoes:[7] 6 × 533 mm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes Leonardo Black Shark Advanced heavyweight torpedo Missiles:[7] Land attack cruise missiles UUV (unmanned underwater vessel):[7]

The Italian Navy is already preparing the development of the successor of the U212A, the NGS (New Generation Submarine) that will replace the U212A and that will start to be built from 2040. The Italian Navy is also developing a LDAUV (Large Displacement Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) to support the submarine force.^[8]

Project history

U212 NFS

In 2018 and 2019, the Italian Parliament released information regarding the funding of the successor of the 4 Sauro class submarines in order to maintain an 8-submarine force.^[9]

In November 2020, the Italian ministry of defence released their multi-year planning document (Documento Programmatico Pluriennale) for 2020-2022 It mentions the plan to procure four new submarines in two phases for a total programme cost estimated at €2.68 billion.^[10]

The Italian Government mandated OCCAR to manage the U212 NFS programme on its behalf.^[9]

Phase 1

The phase 1 comprises:

• Development of the U212 NFS submarine class
• Procurement of 2 submarines
• Construction of a training center
• 10 years technical-logistic in-service support

In February 2021, OCCAR and Fincantieri S.p.A. (lead contractor) signed the contract of the phase 1 for €1.35 billion.

Phase 2

The phase 2 of the programme has 2 submarines that were to be purchased as an option. It includes:

• Complementary development of the class
• Procurement of 2 submarines
• 10 years technical-logistic in-service support for the 2 additional submarines

In December 2022, OCCAR committed to a third U212 NFS submarine.^[11] In July 2023, the contract was signed for a value of €500 million, and a complementary budget of €160 million for additional developments was also included in the contract.

The fourth U212 NFS was ordered in June 2024 for a value of €500 million.^[12]

U212 NFS EVO

In June 2024, the Italian Navy unveiled its plan for the fleet development for the period 2025 - 2050. It includes the development of a sub-class of the U212 NFS which will be larger (> 2,000 tonnes) and which will integrate technologies in development for the successor of the Todaro class, the NGS (Next Generation Submarine).^[13]

Ships of the class

Name	No.	Type	Builder	Contract	Laid down	Launched	Comm.	Homeport
Italian Navy
NFS1	S530	NFS	Fincantieri (Muggiano, La Spezia (it))	26 Feb 2021 [2]	11 Jan 2022 [14]	–	2027[14]	Taranto Submarine Base (it)
NFS2	S531				6 Jun 2023 [15]	–	2029[14]
NFS3	S532			21 Jul 2023 [11]	27 Jun 2024 [12]	–	2030[12]
NFS4	S533			27 Jun 2024 [12]	12 Dec 2025 [16]	–	2032
–	–	NFS EVO	Fincantieri (Muggiano, La Spezia (it))	–	–	–	2036 [1]	–
–	–			–	–	–		–

  Planned commissioning

  Ships planned

Potential operators

Philippines

TKMS and Fincantieri signed an agreement in April 2025 to offer the U212 NFS to the Philippines, as part of the Horizon III modernisation initiative.^[17]

Failed bids

Poland

The Polish Navy planned to purchase 3 attack submarines as part of its Orka programme. The mentioned competitors include the A26 Blekinge,^[18][19] the KSS-III,^[20] the S-80,^[21] the Scorpene SSK, the U212 NFS^[22] and the Type 212CD.^[23]

Ultimately, the Polish Navy selected the A26 Blekinge in November 2025.^[24][25][26]