Procurement of the new U212NFS submarine class for the Italian Navy is being carried out through OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement), the European organization responsible for managing cooperative programs in the defense sector. Delivery of the second unit is scheduled for 2030.    Starting from the proven U212A class, says OCCAR, the new submarines introduce concrete improvements in endurance, operational effectiveness and flexibility. These include an extended pressure hull, updated combat and platform control systems, and solutions tailored for operations in warm waters. Features such as electric hoistable masts, low-profile periscopes and lithium-ion battery propulsion further enhance performance while reducing detectability.    The weapon suite provides a solid underwater strike capability and is supported by integrated countermeasure systems. At the same time, the platform is designed with future upgrades in mind, including long-range strike options.    Cybersecurity is treated as a built-in requirement, alongside careful attention to human factors, to ensure both system resilience and effective crew operation. The program also creates a basis for future developments, including mid-life updates to the U212A Class, support to special operations, and the integration of autonomous underwater vehicles.    Fincantieri notes that the U212NFS submarine class represents a substantial evolution compared to to its U212A predecessors, thanks to greater design maturity, a higher level of Italian-developed technology, and enhanced integration of onboard systems. Innovations developed by Italian industry include the lithium-ion propulsion battery and the new combat management system.   

The Muggiano shipyard plays a strategic role in the construction of platforms for the Italian Navy’s submarine force. With more than a century of experience and over one hundred submarines built, the shipyard is one of Italy’s leading centers of excellence for the design and construction of technologically advanced underwater units.