TKMS bags ‘record’ contract: Four more submarines in Type 212CD program confirmed

The German government has signed a contract in Koblenz with shipbuilding major thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for the construction of four more submarines in the Type 212CD program.

As disclosed, the contract was signed on the basis of yesterday’s (December 18, 2024) approval when the German Bundestag and the Federal Government voted by a majority in favor of the procurement of the option boats in the German-Norwegian submarine program.

The agreement originally concluded with thyssenkrupp Marine Systems in July 2021 included the manufacture and delivery of an initial six identical submarines, two for Germany and four for Norway.

With the contractual extension to include an additional four boats for the German Armed Forces and Norway’s current intention to order two more option boats, both NATO partners could have six submarines of the new type at their disposal in the future, German officials noted.

Norway has also already signaled its intention to increase the number of submarines on order.

“The cooperation with our Norwegian partner will provide our two armed forces with new opportunities for deployment in the context of national and alliance defense, […]. In addition, we are enabling the German Navy to meet its requirements within the framework of the Navy 2035+ target image. The U212 CD project is another prominent example of how we are up to the procurement requirements of this changing era,” President of the Bundeswehr Procurement Office, Annette Lehnigk-Emden, said.

“The turning point in history is finally arriving in the maritime sector. We are delighted at the trust that the German government has once again placed in us with the additional order for the world’s most modern conventional submarine. We are making a decisive contribution to the changing times and strengthening the defence capabilities with this strategically important project between Germany and Norway,” Oliver Burkhard, CEO of TKMS, emphasized the importance of the German contract extension.

According to TKMS, as a new generation, the Type 212CD submarines go far beyond the current 212A boats. The company highlighted that the new vessels not only place increased demands on production due to their size but also require “state-of-the-art” production lines for the outfitting with “high-tech systems”.

Furthermore, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems will be in charge of ensuring synergies for the operation, logistics, and international maintenance of the 212CD submarines, which was also underlined by the laying of the foundation stone for new service yard capacities in Norway. 

Burkhard added that “with the expansion of the 212CD order, other countries could join this project in the near future”.

To remind, in September this year, TKMS announced that the design phase for the German-Norwegian Type 212CD submarines was concluded on schedule with Critical Design Review (CDR).