Naval and industrial representatives from Germany, Norway, and Canada met in Kiel, Germany, in early August to launch a trilateral co-operation programme to support the delivery of each country’s Type 212 Common Design (T212CD) diesel-electric submarine (SSK).
With Canada deciding in early July to downselect German ship- and submarine-builder TKMS – designer and builder of what the company itself formally calls the HDW-class T212CD boat – as the preferred supplier to meet its Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) future SSK requirement, these three countries are coming together as a prospective collective to support the operation of the new boat.
Across the three countries, the total T212CD buy could reach 24 boats – and possibly more. Under its CPSP requirement, Canada is set to procure up to 12, with its first four scheduled for delivery by 2034. Germany and Norway are already in the process of acquiring six each, although Germany is considering expanding its buy to enable it to meet NATO operational commitments more fully. Norway’s first boat is planned to arrive in 2029, with Germany’s following in 2032.
In a 10 August statement, TKMS said: “The event marks the operational start of multilateral co-operation among the partners.” The company said the four-day launch meeting focused on combined planning of the next programme phases, establishing multilateral working structures, and preparing for forthcoming contract negotiations to formalise agreements as the next step in programme implementation. The meeting also laid the foundations for close co-operation among the navies, procurement organisations, and industries of the three countries, TKMS added.
Given the increased threat of underwater warfare NATO navies are facing across the North Atlantic region, the TKMS statement also stressed the operational benefits of the growing collaboration. “The aim is to enhance naval interoperability further, create synergies across the entire submarine lifecycle, and sustainably strengthen maritime security in the North Atlantic and the Arctic region,” it said.
In this operational context, Thomas Keupp – TKMS’s Chief Sales Officer – noted in the statement that “The T212CD programme combines cutting-edge technology with a shared security vision and will sustainably strengthen maritime co-operation within NATO.”
by Dr. Lee Willett
