Fincantieri Expands Italian Navy’s Fleet with Third NFS Submarine Construction
The fabrication of the third advanced generation submarine associated with the U212NFS (Near Future Submarine) initiative for the Italian Navy and allocated to Fincantieri has secured parliamentary endorsement and will now proceed through the standard administrative protocol.
The initiative, which encompasses two vessels contracted in 2021, along with the establishment of a Training Center, is managed by OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement, the international entity for joint armament collaboration).
Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer of Fincantieri, stated: “Within the NFS initiative, we serve as both design authority and primary contractor. The advancement of the program reaffirms Fincantieri’s technological and managerial prominence, remaining fully aligned with the foundational elements outlined in our business strategy. The submarine represents a distinctive strategic and industrial asset, merging shipbuilding excellence with underwater capabilities, a domain where pivotal developments will occur, supported by our forward-looking vision.”
The first two vessels are slated for delivery in 2027 and 2029, with the steel cutting for the second unit scheduled on June 6th.
The U212NFS submarines are designed to be exceptionally innovative, featuring substantial design alterations which will be entirely devised by Fincantieri to meet the Navy’s specifications. The initiative addresses the necessity for robust underwater situational awareness and control capabilities, taking into account the future complex environments of underwater missions, especially as the operational lifespan of the four “Sauro” class submarines currently serving is approaching its end. Furthermore, it seeks to maintain and expand Fincantieri’s established strategic and innovative industrial expertise, while reinforcing the technological edge achieved by the company along with its supply chain, major industries, and small to medium enterprises in the sector, augmenting the deployment of technologically advanced components crafted by Italian industries.
The submarines undertake a variety of missions daily that serve the community, protecting national interests and collective defense within the framework of the significant alliances that Italy is part of, namely NATO and the EU. Their roles extend from strictly military endeavors to operations concerning navigation freedom, anti-piracy measures, securing energy supply routes (due to the existence of seabed resources or underwater infrastructure), adherence to international regulations, combating terrorism, guarding external borders, and protecting maritime infrastructure, including vital offshore and underwater structures, while also conserving marine ecosystems.
