The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (Organisation conjointe de cooperation en matière d’armement; OCCAR) and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri have made an amendment to the existing contract for the construction of a new class of diesel-electric submarines.
OCCAR said the agreement seeks to introduce key upgrades to ensure the U212 NFS submarines, "remain at the cutting edge of underwater warfare."
The amendment will introduce a set of upgrades including the enhancement of periscope capabilities, progress in the feasibility study for a special operations submarine, and minor engineering changes aimed at optimising onboard systems integration and overall performance.
"The engineering change proposals introduced with this amendment not only strengthen the submarines’ operational performance, but also lay the groundwork for future capability developments in the underwater domain," OCCAR concluded.
The U212 NFS submarines to be built by Fincantieri will be used for missions including anti-piracy, security of energy supply routes, anti-terrorism, and protection of offshore and subsea infrastructure. Deliveries of the first two boats in the class are scheduled for 2027 and 2029.
The U212 NFS submarines will replace the four ageing Nazario Sauro-class boats that entered service with the Italian Navy from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s.