Italian ship and submarine manufacturer Fincantieri has signed a contract amendment with OCCAR to expedite the delivery of the Italian Navy’s (ITN’s) fourth U212 NFS (Near Future Submarine) platform, as well as integrating new technologies and improved logistics to support the programme, the company has announced.
Original contracts were signed with OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) for the construction of four U212 NFS submarines. In a press statement released on 23 July, Fincantieri said the EUR317 million (USD360.52 million) amendment “extends the scope of activities assigned to Fincantieri under the programme”.
NATO navies require more submarines at a faster pace, due to the geographical scope and urgent operational demands of the underwater warfare (UWW) threat the alliance confronts. The response efforts include, in operational terms, anti-submarine warfare, safeguarding critical undersea infrastructure, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and maritime domain awareness; they also involve, in strategic terms, covering an area of responsibility that stretches from the High North to the Eastern Mediterranean.
The main advantage of the contract amendment is fast-tracking the delivery of U212 NFS Boat Four from 2034 to 2032. This means the ITN will receive one new submarine each year in the four-boat class, starting from 2029.
According to Fincantieri, the U212 NFS submarines represent a significant upgrade from the four in-service U212A Todaro-class boats operated by the ITN, as they offer improved stealth, increased operational endurance and efficiency; enhanced capabilities such as a new combat management system and lithium-ion propulsion batteries; a more refined design; and better integration of onboard systems.
The technology enhancement work also involves introducing new WASS countermeasures capabilities. Integrating this capability onboard an ITN submarine for the first time, Fincantieri said, “[this] represents a further step forward in enhancing the operational capabilities of the vessels while capitalising on the technological and industrial expertise developed across the [Fincantieri] Group.”
The logistics developments are aimed at providing better support to increase operational availability and efficiency throughout the submarines’ service life.
In the statement, Pierroberto Folgiero – Fincantieri’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director – stated: “Bringing forward delivery of the fourth submarine to 2032 demonstrates Fincantieri’s ability to translate innovation, industrial expertise, and execution capability into tangible results.”
Construction of the four 1,955-tonne (dived displacement) submarines is taking place at Fincantieri’s Muggiano integrated shipyard. Lead boat S530 was laid down on 27 February 2026, and is scheduled for launch in 2028 and delivery in 2029. Being an evolution of the original U212A design, the U212 NFS boats are often referred to as the ‘Improved Todaro’ class.
Subject to future funding, two more U212 NFS platforms are planned. Using a further evolution of the design, this next pair of submarines has been dubbed the NFS EVO boats.
by Dr. Lee Willett
