Largest Ever Order for thyssenkrupp Marine Systems
thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has been commissioned to build six Type 212CD submarines – two for Germany, four for Norway – at an approx. cost of 5.5 billion, the company announced on 8 July.
“The 212CD order is a major milestone. The Norwegian and German navies are getting the most modern submarines in the world, international and industrial teamwork will permanently shape cooperation in the maritime sector, and we have created capacity utilisation for our company,” commented company CEO, Dr Rolf Wirtz.
Only the previous day, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and its Norwegian partner, Kongsberg, signed an industrial cooperation agreement that is the cornerstone of the 212CD project. “With Kongsberg, we have a strong partner with whom we will continue to realise many projects together in the future. The contract with Kongsberg is by far the largest part of the 212CD project – a sign of how close the connection between Norway and Germany really is,” explained CFO Paul Glaser.
The two nations have been cooperating since 2017 and as the 212CD project unfolds, it will become an important step towards further expanding and strengthening European defence cooperation. The German company has already invested €250 million in the project since 2019, with the aim of further developing the Kiel location into an international centre of competence for the construction of conventionally-powered submarines. Construction of a new shipbuilding hall has already begun, and there is clearly visible progress as the shipyard begins to enhance its capabilities.
Construction of the first boat will commence in 2023, with delivery of the first Norwegian submarine in 2029 and of the two German boats in 2032 and 2034. The submarines, which are a further development of the proven Type 212A, will be 73m long, 13m high and with a beam of 10m, displacing some 2,500m3 when surfaced.
