OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement, the international organisation for cooperation on armaments) has exercised the option for the construction of the fourth new-generation submarine relating to the U212NFS (Near Future Submarine) programme of the Italian Navy assigned to Fincantieri. The unit has a value of approximately 500 million euros, including the related Integrated Logistic Support and In Service Support. With this signature, further options are also released that complete the maintenance support of the submarines already contracted.
The signing was held between the Director of OCCAR, Joachim Sucker and the General Director of the Military Ships Division, Dario Deste, at the Fincantieri plant in Muggiano, where the start of work was also celebrated with the sheet metal cutting of the third submarine NFS, also under construction for the Navy. Also present at the ceremony was the Director of Naval Armaments, Admiral Chief Inspector Giuseppe Abbamonte.
At the same time, an important Engineering Change Proposal is activated for the industrialization in Italy, production and integration on board all U212NFS of an innovative lithium energy storage system (Lithium Battery System) that will replace the traditional lead system currently in use. This cutting-edge technology will increase the submarines’ submerged autonomy.
The U212NFS submarines will be highly innovative, with significant design changes all developed independently by Fincantieri, which acts as Design Authority and Prime Contractor, in accordance with the requirements of the Italian Navy. The program responds to the need to ensure adequate surveillance and control capabilities of underwater spaces, considering the complex operational scenarios that will characterize the future of operations in the underwater sector and the approaching end of the operational life of the 4 units of the “Sauro” class currently in service. They will also be deployed alongside the four operational U212A class submarines, of which Romei is currently undergoing scheduled maintenance work at the Muggiano shipyard.
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri, commented: “We are proud to announce this further step forward in Fincantieri’s growth in the defense sector and, in particular, in the innovation of the underwater sector. This project contributes to expanding the our presence in the underwater domain, a strategic area in which the fundamental challenges of the geopolitical balance and technological innovation of the future will be played out. In addition to the order for the construction of a new latest generation submarine, we have signed the agreement for the new Lithium Battery System which represents an absolute innovation in underwater propulsion systems, testifying to the commitment of Fincantieri and the Italian Navy to the development and industrialization of internationally cutting-edge underwater technologies”.
The new U212NFS class will serve to preserve and increase the strategic and innovative industrial know-how developed by Fincantieri and to consolidate the technological advantage achieved by the company and the supply chain, major industrial companies and small and medium-sized enterprises in the sector, because the presence on board of components developed by the national industry will be strengthened.
The tasks that submarines carry out for the benefit of the community are many. On a daily basis, Navy submarines are engaged in surveillance of maritime communication routes and the underwater dimension, also within the context of NATO and EU alliances. A role that takes on ever greater importance in light of the country’s interests that reside beneath the surface of the sea, from seabed resources to underwater energy and communication infrastructures.
