Fincantieri has laid the keel for the Italian Navy’s second of four U212 Near Future Submarine (NFS) platforms at the company’s Muggiano shipyard.
The milestone comes a few months after the Italian shipbuilder held the keel-laying ceremony for the first submarine — the NFS1 S530 — in February.
The lead submarine is expected for delivery in 2029, followed by the second in 2030, the third in 2031, and the fourth in 2032.
U212 NFS
The U212 NFS is an evolution of the Italian Navy’s U212A submarines, featuring a lithium-ion propulsion battery and a new combat management system for improved stealth, cyber resilience, endurance, and overall efficiency.
Each approximately 59-meter (194-foot)-long submarine has a maximum diameter of around 7 meters (23 feet) and can accommodate 29 crew members.
The submarines are designed to perform a range of missions in support of Italy and its allied commitments, including underwater surveillance and control, protection of maritime and critical underwater infrastructure, and deterrence.
First conceptualized in 2018, the submarine program passed critical design review in early 2023.
The program has been managed by the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) on behalf of Italy since 2021.