#fincantierispa

Both Fincantieri SpA and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) both released Press Releases on their own Websites containing a bit more Details of their offer of the Type 212 Near Future Submarine (NFS) or U212 NFS to the Philippines, and I thought I just needed to note it down for future Reference. So here is what they are offering:

With Air Independent Propulsion (AIP)

Use of "Amanox" non-Magnetic Steel, probably for the Hull

Training, Doctrine and Logistics Support from the Italian Navy

A new Naval Base, probably for the Submarines

You can read about the Press Release on the Fincantieri Website: https://www.fincantieri.com/en/media/press-releases/2025/fincantieri-and-thyssenkrupp-marine-systems-partner-for-philippines-submarines-project/

MY NOTES: Surprise-surpise, they are indeed now offering the non-Magnetic Hull Feature which was previously not allowed for Export. As per the "Interwebs", Amanox is an Alloy known not only for its non-magnetic Properties, but also for its high Corrosion Resistance, making it ideal as Material for Submarine Hulls.

The U212 is about the only Submarine Model in active Service right now which is using a non-magnetic Hull, making it very hard to detect by Magnetic Mines and the Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) used by some Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Aircraft.

The U212 uses Hydrogen Fuel Cells for its AIP which allows it to stay underwater without using Snorkels to recharge its Batteries for up to three Weeks, or 21 Days, and its Armaments consists of up to a maximum of 13 mix of Torpedoes and Missiles.

Note though that as per the Information released by South Korea (SK) a couple of Years ago, they are offering an additional Type 209-based Design Submarine if the Philippines buys two, sort of like a “Buy two, Take one” Deal.

So the Philippines will have some hard Decisions to make when choosing which Submarine to get soon, get more older Design-based Subs, or get newer ones with some unique Features like the U212.

SOURCES:

Fincantieri and Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems Partner for Philippines Submarines Project {Archived Link}

The Italian Company "Fincantieri SpA" and the Germany Company "ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems" announced recently that they are entering a Strategic Partnership to support the Horizon III Military Modernization Program of the Philippine Navy (PN).

Their Agreement will focus on the supply of U212 Near Future Submarines (NFS). In addition to Submarine Delivery, their Partnership will include Training, Logistics and Doctrinal Assistance from the Italian Navy.

MY NOTES: Although they didn’t say it directly, I think based on their above Statements it is very clear that they offering the Type 212 NFS Submarine to the PN, which planning to acquire one for their Modernization. So this is the Reason for all these recent Activities of the PN with the Italian Navy, it looks like they are willing to help the PN in various Ways if the PN gets the Type 212 Sub.

The Type 212 Sub is a more advanced and a more recent Version than the Submarines that South Korea (SK) is offering, which is based on the Type 209, a very successful Model for Germany, by the Way. Of course SK has vastly improved and modernized the Type 209, but it is like the F-16 Fighting Falcon Fighter Aircraft Argument where the basic Design is from the 1970s even with their new Block 70/72 Version.

The difference between the F-16 and the Type 209 though is that Submarines are naturally stealthy, whether they are the older Type 209 or newer Type 212. The same can’t be said of the F-16, it is far cry from the F-35 Lightning II Stealth Fighter Aircraft.

European Products though are notorious also for being more expensive, so I think it will boil down to whether they can at least offer the same Features on their Subs for the same Price Point? Like for Example, if their Competitors offer Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Technology with their Subs, can Fincantieri and ThyssenKrupp offer the same also?

One Thing unique about these Type 212s are their non-Magnetic Hulls, which makes Magnetic Mines ineffective against them because, of course, they won’t activate when near their Hulls. But the last time I read about this, they were only offering it to the German Navy and not to Export Customers.

It would certainly be a plus if they change their Policy and include that Feature in their Offer, but only as an additional Feature and not as a Compromise, like say, their Subs won’t have AIP but it will have a non-Magnetic Hull instead. No, that won’t do for me.

Another relatively unique Feature of these Type 212 Subs is its ability to fire Surface to Air Missiles (SAM), and it’s not just any Missile, it is the excellent “Infra-Red Imaging System-Tail/Thrust vector-controlled (IRIS-T)”. There are even plans to put a 30 mm cannon on the Type 212, but I don’t know if those SAMs and Cannon will be an important consideration for the PN.

The only Thing that sorts of bothers me about the Type 212 is there is no clear reference on what Anti-Ship or Land-Attack Missiles it can use. There are References that said it can fire those, but nothing Specific has been mentioned.

But again, not sure if the PN will also want that as an important Point for the Subs they intend to acquire. Overall, I like the Type 212, it is an outstanding Submarine, particularly its Sonar System which includes Towed, Flank and Circular Arrays.

But in the End I feel it remains to be seen if they can compete with the same or more Features with other Competitors like SK for the same or at least similar Price. Good luck to them though, I hope they make it also.

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Defense Industry Europe” Website: https://defence-industry.eu/fincantieri-and-thyssenkrupp-marine-systems-partner-to-support-philippine-navy-modernisation/