The Italian Navy’s Near Future Submarine (NFS) programme has reached a new milestone, as per an announcement from programme managers OCCAR.
A ceremonial keel-laying ceremony took place late last week at Fincantieri’s Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia, Italy which marked the start of the modular assembly phase on the first of four U212 NFS boats.
The programme schedule, being run by the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’ARmement, will see four new submarines delivered to the Marina Militare Italiana at the rate of one a year from 2029 onwards.
The new 59-metre NFS class is set to bring a significant step forward from the force’s existing U212A submarines, including enhanced stealth characteristics and improved resilience against cyber attacks.
A new lithium-ion propulsion battery will deliver improved energy performance, while the integration of various advanced capabilities, including a new combat system, will help the Navy effectively meet its future operational challenges.
The boat will carry a crew of 29 sailors and is expected to be armed with torpedo-tube-launched cruise missiles and Leonardo’s Black Shark Advanced heavyweight torpedoes.
- You can read more details on the Fincantieri website and more about the NFS programme on the OCCAR website