HDW Class 212A Submarine

The HDW Class 212A can rightly be titled as a pinnacle of German submarine technology. It has been built in Germany in two batches of four and two boats, as well as under license in Italy (four units). Our pioneer of true successful European defense co-operation has numerous advantages on both sides and is open to welcome more members in its midst.

In line with German basic design concepts, the HDW Class 212A air-independent submarine is compact and features high payloads for sensors, communication equipment, weapon control systems and weapons. Great attention has been paid to efficiency and energy management on board. The combination of these factors together with the world-wide unique nonmagnetic construction and acoustically optimized equipment results in submarines that are nearly impossible to detect.

The HDW Fuel Cell System coupled to a PERMASYN® motor enables long submerged operational periods and low indiscretion rates. Furthermore, the double-deck HDW Class 212A design excels with high availability quotas and the 2-crew manning concept.Providing superb capabilities to conduct independent long-term missions in deep seas as well as in extremely shallow waters, these boats are ideally suited for undetected reconnaissance and surveillance, also in areas where it is not possible or not desirable to employ other naval forces.

Batch 1 and 2 of the HDW Class 212A Submarines incorporate:

• Integrated Weapon Command and Control Systems.

• Flank and towed array sonars.

• Low crew complements thanks to high degrees of automation.

• “Undisturbed” Combat Information Center (CIC).

• Weapon tubes with water pressure launching systems.

The 2nd batch additionally features:

• Integration of communication system suitable for use in Network Centric Warfare scenarios.

• Installation of integrated German Sonar and Command and Weapon Control Systems.

• Superficial lateral antennas replacing flank array sonar.

• Substitution of one periscope by an optronic mast.

• Integration of a diver lock-out system.