Production for the Second Batch of German Fuel Cell Submarines Starts

ThyssenKrupp, On August 21, about 150 guests were present when the production of the first of two Class 212A submarines for the German Navy was started by Harald Stein, Deputy President of the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement. The ceremony took place at the ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems’ shipyard Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft in Kiel. 
 
Both boats will be built of non-magnetic steel and equipped with an air-independent propulsion system based on the fuel cell. The second batch of these submarines for the German Navy will be constructed according to the general design for the first four submarines. This design will be adapted to the future operational requirements of the German Navy. 
 
In addition to expanded and improved surface and underwater sensor technology, the new submarines feature major innovations in the field of communications technology. This means that the submarines can be optimally deployed in network centric warfare. The delivery date for the two submarines is fixed for 2012 and 2013. 
 
The contract between the consortium “ARGE 2. Los 212A”and the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement was signed on September 22, 2006. The “ARGE” consists of Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft and Nordseewerke, which both belong to the ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems shipyard alliance. 
 
The first batch of these revolutionary fuel cell submarines is already in the service with the German Navy. The U34 was the fourth and last boat to be commissioned in May 2007.  
 
ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems AG, with its head office in Hamburg, Germany, is part of ThyssenKrupp Technologies AG within the ThyssenKrupp Group. Since 2005 it has been the umbrella organisation for eight European shipyards – Blohm + Voss, Blohm + Voss Repair, HDW-Gaarden, Hellenic Shipyards, Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, Kockums, Nobiskrug, Nordseewerke – and various marine engineering companies. With its technological competence, extensive portfolio and continuous innovations the corporate group, employing around 8,800 staff, is one of the leading systems houses in European shipbuilding.