The six additional submarines ordered from TKMS for Germany and Norway will have radar and electronic warfare suites supplied by Indra.
The Spanish multinational defence firm has signed a new contract with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace to equip the extra half-dozen Type 212CD submarines with the suites of systems.
Indra was already under contract to supply the same systems for the original six boats ordered. The Norwegian Government confirmed its plans to increase its order to six subs in December last year.
As per an Indra press statement, the new contract will see the boats fitted with “latest generation fully digital electronic warfare systems and state-of-the-art navigation radar.” It called the joint German-Norwegian project “one of Europe’s most significant submarine programmes.”
Head of Naval Business Unit at Indra Ana Belén Buendía commented: “With the signing of this new contract, Indra consolidates its role as a key technology partner in one of the most advanced naval programmes in Europe, which is of strategic importance for Germany, Norway and the European defence industry as a whole.”
The Type 212CD diesel-electric attack submarines are derived from their predecessor Type 212A boats, but at 73 metres long, are significantly larger. The 2,900-tonne subs feature lithium batteries and an air independent propulsion (AIP) system.
The subs of both navies will be armed with heavyweight torpedoes; Germany is seeking to fit an IDAS air-defence missile to its boats as well.
The first German Navy boats are scheduled for commissioning in 2031 and 2034; the force has an option to buy a further three boats.
The subs of both navies are set to operate out of a new joint base in Haakonsvern in southern Norway, where Norway’s Ula-class submarines are already based.
- You can read more details about the new systems deal on the Indra website