Seafuture 2023: Italy Navy displays Type 212A submarine Romeo Romei.

The Italian Navy's submarine Romeo Romei, a prominent member of the Todaro (Type 212A) class, was showcased at the La Spezia Naval Base for the Seafuture 2023 event.

Italian Todaro class (Type 212A) submarine Romeo Romei. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)

The Type 212A is a unique class of diesel-electric submarine engineered by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW) for both the German Navy (referred to as U-Boot-Klasse 212 A) and the Italian Navy, where it's known as the Todaro class. This innovative vessel features a diesel propulsion system complemented by an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system that utilizes Siemens proton exchange membrane (PEM) compressed hydrogen fuel cells.

This dual propulsion design offers the submarines the ability to operate at high speed using diesel power or transition to the AIP system for a quieter, slower cruise.

Impressively, these submarines can remain submerged for up to three weeks while producing minimal exhaust heat thanks to the AIP system. This system is also vibration-free and nearly undetectable, adding to the stealth capabilities of the submarine.

The Todaro class submarine, a Type 212 vessel, has a surfaced displacement of 1,450 tonnes (1,430 long tons) and submerged displacement of 1,830 tonnes (1,800 long tons). With a length of 57.2 meters (188 feet), the submarine features a beam of 7 meters (23 feet) and a draught of 6 meters (20 feet).

Its propulsion system consists of an MTU 16V 396 diesel engine and a Siemens Permasyn electric motor producing 1,700 kW (2,280 hp), with a 7-bladed skewback propeller.

The Todaro class submarine can reach speeds of up to 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) when submerged and 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) when surfaced. It has a range of 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) while surfaced. The endurance is 3 weeks without snorkeling and 12 weeks overall.

The submarine has a test depth of over 700 meters (2,300 feet), and it is crewed by 5 officers and 22 men. Its armament includes 6 × 533 mm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes.