The German Navy currently operates a flotilla of ten submarines, which are based at Eckernförde. The fleet consists of six modernized Type 206A diesel-electric submarines, which were commissioned between 1973 and 1975, and four new hybrid diesel-electric/fuel cell air independent propulsion (AIP) Type 212A submarines, which were commissioned between 2004 and 2006.[1] Current plans foresee a total of six Type 212A boats, with two further vessels under construction that are projected to be operational by 2012 and 2013 respectively. The original plan was to construct a total of eight Type 212 vessels, but in January 2004 the German Defense Ministry announced that no more submarines would be ordered until 2016.[2]

The traditional role of the Germany Navy has been to operate as part of NATO forces defending Northern Europe and focusing on the Baltic Sea in particular. Since Germany's sea lines of communication (SLOC) are chiefly located in littoral waters, its submarines were designed with the short range and low displacement necessary for coastal defense. During the past decade, however, the German Navy's objectives have expanded, resulting in an operating area that covers the littoral waters of Northern Europe, the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, and the SLOC of Germany's neighbors.[3] To meet these demands, a new submarine class was needed that could operate in both the open sea and littoral waters.[4] The result was the Type 212A, which has a greater range, diving depth and displacement than its predecessor, and features improved communications systems and reconnaissance capabilities.[5] This improved operational capability is the result of AIP technology based on hydrogen fuel cells, developed by Siemens, which allows the Type 212A to stay submerged for longer periods of time.[6]

Germany's maritime doctrine during the Cold War planned for a large-scale war on Germany's northern flank, but the collapse of the Soviet Union made tactical changes necessary. Today, the German Navy's main roles, in conjunction with other NATO navies or as part of a UN force, are conflict prevention, crisis management, peacekeeping and counterterrorism operations. As a result of the 212A submarine's stealth capabilities, it is also able to carry out effective covert intelligence and reconnaissance missions. German submarines were deployed as part of peacekeeping operations in the Adriatic Sea during the mid-1990s, and as part of NATO operations Active Endeavour and Enduring Freedom.[7]

In support of new operational priorities, there are future plans to equip the 212A with a land-attack capability.[8] The Interactive Defence and Attack System for Submarines (IDAS), currently under development by Diehl BGT Defence and HDW, uses a wire-guided missile to engage helicopters and mobile targets on shore.[9]

Sources:
[1] "Submarine Forces," Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems, 11 November 2009, www.janes.com.
[2] A.D. Baker III, "World's Navies Are in Decline," Proceedings (Annapolis: United States Naval Institute, vol. 130, no. 3, March 2004), p. 32; in ProQuest Inforation and Learning Company, http://proquest.umi.com.
[3] "Submarine Forces," Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems, 11 November 2009, www.janes.com.
[4] Interview with Vice Admiral Hans Lissow, German Naval Chief of Staff, "Naval Chiefs of Staff comments on their adaption to the new security-political situation," Naval Forces, 2002, Vol. 23, No. 5, pp. 60-65; in ProQuest Information and Learning Company, http://proquest.umi.com; and Interview with Vice Admiral Hans Lissow, German Naval Chief of Staff, "Navies take up the challenge (part 2)," Naval Forces, 1998, Vol. 19, No. 6, pp. 46-54; in ProQuest Information and Learning Company, http://proquest.umi.com.
[5] Joachim Brune, "Germany's strength beneath the waves," EN Vision Magazine, 2002, No. 2, pp 28-31.
[6] "Equipment order for the 150th submarine: German Navy orders two further submarines with Siemens fuel-cell technology," Siemens, 5 March 2007, http://info.industry.siemens.com.
[7] "Bundeswehr foreign missions: An overview," Die Bundesregierung, www.bundesregierung.de.
[8] "Submarine Forces," Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems, 11 November 2009, www.janes.com.
[9] "HDW, a company within ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, and DBD receive the Technology Award of the German Defence Industry for IDAS, in the category Exceptional Award," ThyssenKrupp Press Release, 3 December 2007, www.thyssenkrupp.com.