TimelapseLab has started monitoring the construction of new and innovative NFS submarines for the Italian Navy, by Fincantieri following the agreement between Thyssen Krupp Marine System and the Italian company. The monitoring will be carried out with two TimelapseLab devices, for a duration of 4 years.
The construction of the first of the four new generation submarines for the Italian Navy began at the Muggiano shipyard (in the province of La Spezia). The construction, entirely carried out in Italy, is part of an total investment of approximately 2.3 billion euros and will be divided into two tranches, the first, valued 1.35 billion, will finance the construction of the first two submarines.
“We are proud that the recognition of our abilities by the Navy and the German partner has led to an evolution of relations such as to guarantee us the role of design authority on the one hand, and that of prime contractor on the other” said Giuseppe Bono , CEO of Fincantieri, adding that “this will allow Italy to continue to be a major player among the small group of countries that can build such advanced units”.
The NFS (Near Future Submarine) program for the Navy is an evolution of the U212A project, an industrial collaboration agreement between Thyssen Krupp Marine System (tkMS) and Fincantieri signed in 2018, which granted the most important naval group in Europe license for use and the transfer of technical know-how for the construction of new underwater platforms for the Navy, further enhancing the presence on board of components developed by the national industry. The U212 NFS program, which plans to deliver the first units in 2027 and 2029, is a response to the need to ensure adequate surveillance and control capabilities underwater in order to face the complex operational scenarios that will characterize the future of operations in the underwater sector and to prepare for the end of the operational life of the 4 units of the “Sauro” class currently in service.
