1,800-ton new diesel-electric stealth submarine, soon to be built

A new powerful submarine is soon to be built in Italy. The keel-laying ceremony for the second next-generation U212NFS (Near Future Submarine) was held at Fincantieri’s Muggiano shipyard.

Destined for the Italian Navy, the U212NFS submarines class represents a substantial evolution compared to to its U212A predecessors.

Production continuity of U212NFS submarine program

The keel-laying of the second unit further confirms the production continuity of the U212NFS program and Fincantieri’s ability to integrate shipbuilding expertise, advanced technologies and know-how, together with the excellence of the Italian industrial supply chain, in support of the development of national underwater capabilities.

The U212NFS program contributes to preserving and enhancing national industrial know-how, strengthening Fincantieri’s role as design authority and prime contractor and supporting the growth of the Italian industry’s capabilities in the submarine sector. The program has also recently been strengthened through contractual integration, which has expanded activities relating to new technological capabilities and the integrated logistic support of the units, further strengthening Fincantieri’s capabilities throughout the submarines’ entire lifecycle, according to a press release.

U212NFS submarines class represents a substantial evolution

The U212NFS submarines class, with a submerged displacement of 1,750 tons, represents a substantial evolution compared to to its U212A predecessors, thanks to greater design maturity, a higher level of Italian-developed technology, and enhanced integration of onboard systems. Innovations developed by Italian industry, including the lithium-ion propulsion battery and the new combat management system, will ensure greater stealth, endurance, efficiency, and cyber resilience, as per the release.

Scheduled for delivery in 2030, the submarine can play a significant role at the time of conflict.

The vessel is being built in the Muggiano shipyard, which has built over one hundred submarines.

The shipyard is one of Italy’s leading centers of excellence for the design and construction of technologically advanced underwater units.

The keel-laying of the second unit further confirms the production continuity of the U212NFS program and Fincantieri’s ability to integrate shipbuilding expertise, advanced technologies and know-how, together with the excellence of the Italian industrial supply chain, in support of the development of national underwater capabilities.

The U212NFS programme currently covers four submarines for the Italian Navy. The first boat reached its keel-laying milestone at Muggiano in February 2026, with delivery planned for 2029. The second submarine is scheduled to follow in 2030.

The programme’s delivery schedule was strengthened earlier this year through a contractual amendment between Fincantieri and OCCAR. The agreement, worth approximately €317 million, added new technological capabilities, expanded logistics support and brought forward delivery of the fourth submarine to 2032. Fincantieri said the revised schedule would allow the Italian Navy to receive one new submarine each year from 2029 through 2032.

The Italian Navy reported that four submarines are currently in production simultaneously at Muggiano, highlighting the scale of industrial activity associated with the NFS programme.

Fincantieri’s role extends beyond construction. The company is the programme’s design authority and prime contractor, while recent contractual changes have expanded its responsibilities for technological development and integrated logistics support throughout the submarines’ lifecycle.