Germany and Norway shelled out 5.5bn euros for six 212CD submarines between them in 2021: two for Germany, four for Norway. A new order for half a dozen more will even those numbers to six boats each. Read on and learn more about why Norway buys submarines from Germany.
Germany announced the submarine contract extension as part of €21 billion in defense spending approved by the Bundestag, the country’s parliament. Other approvals including the go-ahead for the F127 anti-air warfare frigate, Elbit Systems’ PULS rocket artillery, missiles for the Patriot air-defense system, reactive armor for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle and the development of sea-to-air missiles.
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ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems is thus receiving with this comprehensive order expansion in the current 212CD program one of the largest orders in the recent history of the company. The President of the Bundeswehr Procurement Agency, Annette Lehnigk-Emden, and CEO Oliver Burkhard officially signed the contract in Koblenz on the basis of the parliamentary approval. An order of this size will involve advance payments that will have a positive impact on cash flow in the current financial year and will be used accordingly for the milestones of the order.
The 212CD is a hefty craft. At 74 meters long it is significantly larger than the 212A currently operated by the German Navy or the Ula-class of the Royal Norwegian Navy. “The cooperation with our Norwegian partner will provide our two armed forces with new opportunities for deployment in the context of national and alliance defense, particularly on NATO’s northern flank,” Lehnigk-Emden said in the statement.
Oliver Burkhard, CEO of ThyssenKrupp, emphasized the importance of the German contract extension: “The turning point in history is finally arriving in the maritime sector. We are delighted at the trust that the German government has once again placed in us with the additional order for the world’s most modern conventional submarine. We are making a decisive contribution to the changing times and strengthening the defense capabilities with this strategically important project between Germany and Norway.”
This doubling of the 212CD fleet by the two Nato partners reflects obvious concerns about Russian machinations in the Baltic and further north. In Germany in particular, perhaps the acquisition will renew debate about the degree to which the country really wants to get over itself and finally grow into a military power commensurate with its economic and diplomatic stature.
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“With the expansion of the 212CD order, other countries could join this project in the near future. Our strong position has now become even stronger. We are well on the way to achieving our goal of independence,” says Oliver Burkhard.
Norway Buys Submarines from Germany, reported by Tor Kjolberg