Germany to expand submarine Fleet with additional class 212CD orders says Defense Minister Pistorius.

According to information published by Aussiedlerbote on July 19, 2024, Germany has ordered two Class 212CD submarines for its Navy, with an additional four planned, according to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. The projected cost for these extra submarines is estimated at around four billion euros.
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A model of the Type 212CD submarine on the TKMS booth. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)

Pistorius emphasized the importance of investing in the navy to counter security threats, particularly from Russia. During a visit to the naval base in Eckernförde, Schleswig-Holstein, he stated that details regarding the type and pace of acquiring the additional four Class 212CD submarines will be finalized in the second half of the year. Germany currently has two submarines on order with an option for four to six more.

The contract for the four additional submarines could be worth nearly four billion euros. The 212CD submarines are part of a German-Norwegian billion-dollar project, with work on the first four submarines for Norway already underway at Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems in Kiel.

During his visit, soldiers demonstrated a sea-based military evacuation mission to Pistorius, who also toured the U31 submarine and participated in a dive.

The operational readiness of German submarines has faced criticism in the past. Pistorius noted significant improvements, stating that those times are over. The navy has invested approximately 72 million euros in the infrastructure at the Eckernförde base over the past five years, with plans to invest an additional 500 million euros in the coming years, primarily in maritime infrastructure.

About the naval base

It serves as the homeport for various naval units, including submarines, mine countermeasure vessels, and specialized units such as the Sea Battalion and the Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine (KSM).

The base supports the 1st Submarine Squadron, which includes the Type 212 submarines known for their advanced stealth and long-range capabilities. These submarines are frequently deployed on international missions, such as enforcing the UN arms embargo on Libya as part of Operation Irini​​.

The base hosts the Naval Technical Centre, which plays a crucial role in developing and evaluating new naval technologies. This includes the integration and testing of unmanned systems like the ATLAS Remote Combined Influence Minesweeping System (ARCIMS), an unmanned surface vessel used for mine countermeasure operations​.