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, but will be significantly larger than the 212 class.

Project history
A €5.5 billion contract for development and procurement of the six submarines was placed with TKMS on 8 July 2021 after the German and Norwegian governments reached an agreement in principle in March. 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 submarine replacement project. 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.

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. Construction of the first submarine started in September 2023.

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

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.

Characteristics
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 common on modern anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships.

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.

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 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.

Sensors
Two optronics 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. 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.

List of boats
The submarines are being procured by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency Forsvarsmateriell (six submarines) and the German Armed Forces Procurement Agency BAAINBw (two submarines).

Italics indicate estimated date.

Weapons
The submarines will feature four tubes for DM2A4 heavyweight torpedoes and Germany plans to fit the IDAS air-defense missile to theirs.

Future operators

 * 🇩🇪 Germany (2)
 * 2 ships to be delivered in 2032 and 2034.


 * 🇳🇴 Norway (4 on order + 2 approved for order)
 * In March 2021, he Norwegian Navy ordered 4 ships. The contract was signed in July 2021.
 * In June 2023, the Norwegian Defence Chief recommended to increase the order to 6. In June 2024, this purchase was approved by the parliament, and a contract is to be signed.
 * The submarines are to be delivered from 2029 to 2035.

Potential contracts

 * 🇨🇦 Canada (12)
 * Germany and Norway offered an Arctic protection partnership to Canada, which includes the Type 212 CD for Canada. In July 2024, Canada publicly unveiled its plan for the future of its navy, which includes 12 submarines.


 * 🇩🇪 Germany (4 to 7 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 4 to 7 additional Type 212 CD to be built.
 * As of July 2024, the defence minister announced that they were looking for 4 additional submarines to be ordered in 2024.


 * 🇵🇱 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, the KSS-III , the S-80 , the Scorpene SSK and the Type 212CD.

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. Naval Group won the competition in April 2024 and should build 4 ships if approved by the parliament.