Our Submarines

Decades of experience & innovative technology.

Hardly any other shipyard in the world has more experience in the design and construction of non-nuclear submarines than thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The delivery of submarines for coastal and blue water deployment to the navies of more than 20 countries is evidence of our success. HDW Class 209/1400mod submarines, for example, can be found in every ocean in the world.

Prolonged diving time and enhanced safety measures

From the earliest days of submarines the goal of our teams at the shipyard in Kiel has been to prolong diving time. Air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems have made this possible for non-nuclear boats. AIP systems significantly increase a submarine's underwater range and reduce the risk of discovery. The AIP system developed and deployed in Kiel, the HDW fuel cell plant, has no moving parts. That makes detection of such a submarine virtually impossible. HDW Class 212, HDW Class 214 and HDW Class Dolphin AIP submarines powered by an HDW fuel cell plant were the first to undertake extremely long dives independent of external air sources. These classes have set new standards in terms of signatures, range, automation, weapons control, external communication, crew comfort, and convenience.
By combining submarine expertise from basic research and development to design, manufacture, outfitting, testing and in-service support we ensure that everything our customers receive from thyssenkrupp Marine Systems comes first hand from a single source.