On Friday, June 27, 2025, the German company TKMS announced the signing of a contract worth over 800 million EUR with the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw – Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr) for the modernization of six U212A-class conventional submarines (U-Boot-Klasse 212A) belonging to the German Navy (Deutsche Marine).
U31 during a visit to Poland on October 5, 2018 / Photo: Michał Szafran, MILMAG
As stated in the press release, TKMS signed one of the largest service contracts in the company’s history with BAAINBw, which took place yesterday in Koblenz. As the main contractor, TKMS will provide comprehensive modernization and support services for six German U212A-class submarines over a period of 10 years.
The contract includes the modernization of the submarines’ main onboard systems, particularly the navigation system and the combat management and weapon control system on the four older submarines from the first batch. The aim of the work is to maintain the operational readiness and capabilities of the vessels, which will eventually be complemented by six new U212CD (Common Design) submarines, jointly ordered with Norway.
“This important service contract also strengthens our established and trusting cooperation with the German Navy in the area of maintenance,” emphasizes Oliver Burkhard, CEO of TKMS. “As a maritime powerhouse, we will utilize the full range of services offered by TKMS and contribute to the high operational availability and performance of the German submarine fleet with our many years of expertise.”
On December 18, 2024, the Bundestag’s Budget Committee (Haushaltsausschuss) approved a request from the Federal Ministry of Defence for the development and qualification of IDAS (Interactive Defence and Attack System for Submarines) anti-air missile launchers for the submarines in question.
The U212A-class submarines were delivered between 2005 and 2016 by the then Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW), now TKMS: U31 (S181), U32 (S182), U33 (S183), U34 (S184), U35 (S185), and U36 (S186). They are assigned to the 1st Submarine Squadron (1. Ubootgeschwader) based in Eckernförde. These were the world’s first submarines powered by a combination of batteries and fuel cell technology.
Each submarine measures 56 to 57.2 meters in length, 6.8 meters in beam, and has a submerged displacement of 1,830 tons. They have a range of 8,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 8 knots (with a maximum speed of 20 knots). The crew consists of 5 officers and 22 sailors. Four submarines of this type are also operated by Italy under the Todaro-class designation: S 526 Salvatore Todaro, S 527 Scirè, S 528 Pietro Venuti, and S 529 Romeo Romei, which will be supplemented by four new U212 NFS submarines.
