Fincantieri has officially laid the keel for the first U212 Near Future Submarine (NFS) for the Italian Navy at its Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia. The milestone marks progress in a modernization program launched in 2018 to replace the aging Sauro-class diesel-electric submarines that have been in service since the 1980s. Construction of the lead boat began in 2022, and it is expected to be commissioned in 2029 under the designation “NFS1 S530.” The overall program calls for four submarines, with completion targeted for 2032.
The U212 NFS will serve as Italy’s next-generation attack submarine, equipped with land-attack cruise missiles, torpedoes, and unmanned underwater vehicles. It will also feature advanced sensors, upgraded communications and electronic warfare systems, and improved automation to enhance operational effectiveness. Measuring 59 meters in length with a 7-meter beam, the submarine will have a two-deck configuration to accommodate a crew of more than 30. Its propulsion system will combine lithium batteries with an MTU 16V-396 diesel generator, a Permasyn electric motor, and a low-noise propeller for enhanced stealth.
