OCCAR ( Organization Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement , the international armaments cooperation organization) has exercised the option to build the fourth next-generation submarine related to the Navy’s Near Future Submarine (U212NFS) program 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 which 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 of all U212NFS of an innovative lithium energy storage system ( Lithium Battery System ) which will replace the traditional lead system currently in use . Such cutting-edge technology will increase the submerged autonomy of submarines.
The U212NFS submarines will be highly innovative, with significant design changes all developed independently by Fincantieri, which plays the role of Design Authority and Prime Contractor , in accordance with the Navy’s requirements. The program responds to the need to guarantee 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 “Sauro” class units currently in service. They will also join the four operational U212A class submarines, of which Romei is currently undergoing scheduled maintenance work at the Muggiano shipyard.
“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”
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri
The new U212NFS class will serve to preserve and increase the strategic and innovative industrial know-how gained 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 in component board developed by domestic industry.
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.
