Italy orders up to four more submarines via OCCAR
The Italian MoD is buying up to four Type U212 Near Future Submarines (NFS) from Fincantieri through the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), according to a notice published on 9 December on the official EU tenders database.
Procurement of an initial two boats, with the option for two more plus related technical, logistical and training services, will cost up to €1.35 billion ($1.63 billion).
The Italian Navy already operates four Type U212A Salvatore Todaro-class diesel-electric attack submarines, which were ordered in two batches with the final boat being commissioned in May 2017. Shephard Defence Insight gives an out-of-service date of 2032 for these boats.
The new Type U212 NFS submarines will be ‘the sole undeniable asset that the Italian Navy needs to satisfy its operational requirements in the submarine domain’, the MoD claimed.
‘In Europe only TKMS [ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems] and Fincantieri have the technical know-how for the development and production of U212A submarines,’ it added. ‘Therefore the contract can be awarded to Fincantieri... using the negotiated procedure.’
The design of the NFS boats will be based on the Type U212A, although the MoD did not specify any differences in its announcement.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
U-212 Near Future Submarine (4) [Italy]
U-212 Near Future Submarine (1-2) [Italy]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Desan Shipyard to build Malaysia’s largest ever coast guard vessel
The vessel should join the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in 2017.
-
US Navy tests Aegis combat system for hypersonic missile defence
The Arleigh Burke destroyer USS Pinckney undertook the tests against a simulated SM-6 missile.
-
Royal Navy destroyer completes UAV live-fire exercise before heading to the Indo-Pacific
HMS Dauntless ran a full UAV test to mimic potential real-world threats.
-
Havelsan sells ADVENT CMS into Chilean Navy frigates
The system is intended to add enhanced operational precision to two ageing vessels.
-
Second rMCM vessel begins sea trials, advances autonomous minesweeping
The rMCM programme will ultimately comprise of 12 vessels, six each working for the Belgian and the Royal Netherlands Navy.
-
Long-delayed polar icebreaker programme gets cash and impetus boost
The US Government has awarded a significant contract to move along its Polar Security Cutter programme.