Submarine Proliferation

Germany Current Capabilities

Capabilities | Import | Export

map The German Navy currently operates a flotilla of 14 submarines, which are based at Eckernförde. They are predominantly modernized Type 206A diesel-electric submarines, which were commissioned between 1974 and 1975. Four new Type 212A submarines have been ordered; as they are commissioned, beginning in 2004, older Type 205 and unmodernized Type 206 vessels will be sold. While plans originally called for a total of eight hybrid diesel-electric/fuel cell air independent propulsion (AIP) Type 212 vessels, in January 2004 the German Defense Ministry announced that no more submarines would be ordered though 2016.[1,2]

In the past, the German Navy operated within NATO to defend Northern Europe, focusing on the Baltic Sea in particular. Since Germany's sea lines of communication (SLOC) are chiefly located in the shallow waters of the littoral, 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. To meet these demands, a new submarine class was needed that could operate in both the open sea and littoral waters.[3,4] The Type 212A has a range, diving depth and displacement exceeding that of its predecessor by a factor of two or more. The new class will also address other shortfalls by featuring improved communications systems and reconnaissance capabilities.[5]

The German Navy's main role, in conjunction with other NATO navies or as part of a UN force, is conflict prevention and crisis management.[3] More particularly, the navy is to enable and support land operations, and provide and protect military sea-lift. It is also interested in procuring land attack capabilities with precision weapons.[6] A German vice admiral has also mentioned anti-ballistic missile defense as a possible future maritime task.[4] Submarines are to play a significant role in anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, intelligence and reconnaissance tasks, as well as special operations support.[5] For example, German submarines patrolled Gibraltar with other NATO vessels in 2003 as part of the war against terrorism.

Type 212A
Displacement, tons:	1,450 surfaced 1,830 submerged
Dimensions, ft (m):	183.4 × 23 × 19.7 (55.9 × 7 × 6)
Main machinery:	hybrid diesel-electric/fuel cell AIP
Speed, knots:	12 surfaced 20 submerged
Range, miles:	8,000 at 8 knots, surfaced 420 at 8 knots, submerged
Complement:	27 (8 officers)
Diving depth, ft (m):	1,300 (400)
Endurance:	30 days
Weapons:	12 torpedoes; six 21" (533 mm) tubes; 24 mines in lieu of torpedoes or in minelaying belt

Sources: "Type 212," Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems online edition, http://juws.janes.com, 19 May 2003.
"Type 212A (SSK)," Jane's Fighting Ships online edition, http://jfs.janes.com, 5 March 2003.
"Type 212A (SSK)," Jane's Fighting Ships online edition, http://jfs.janes.com, 8 August 2003.
"Marine Bildergalerie," German Navy Web Site, http://www.deutschemarine.de

Type 206A
Displacement, tons:	450 surfaced 498 submerged
Dimensions, ft (m):	159.4 × 15.1 × 14.8 (48.6 × 4.6 × 4.5)
Main machinery:	diesel-electric
Speed, knots:	10 surfaced 17 submerged
Range, miles:	4,500 at 5 knots, surfaced
Complement:	22 (4 officers)
Diving depth, ft (m):	—
Endurance:	—
Weapons:	eight 21" (533 mm) tubes; up to 16 mines in lieu of torpedoes, 24 additional mines stored outside hull

Sources:
Stephen Saunders, Jane's Fighting Ships 2002-2003 (Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group, 2003) pp. 252.
"Unterseeboote der deutschen Marine," German Armed Forces Web Site, http://www.bundeswehr.de.
"Uboot 206A-Klasse," German Navy Web Site, http://www.deutschemarine.de

Type 205
Displacement, tons:	419 surfaced 450 submerged
Dimensions, ft (m):	144.0 × 15.1 × 14.1 (43.9 × 4.6 × 4.3)
Main machinery:	diesel-electric
Speed, knots:	10 surfaced 17 submerged
Range, miles:	—
Complement:	22 (4 officers)
Diving depth, ft (m):	490 (159)
Endurance:	—
Weapons:	eight 21" (533 mm) tubes

Sources:
Stephen Saunders, Jane's Fighting Ships 2002-2003 (Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group, 2003) pp. 254.
"Marine Bildergalerie," German Navy Web Site, http://www.deutschemarine.de.

ACTIVE DUTY SUBMARINES
Name (Number)	Class	Base	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned
U15 (S194)	206A	Eckernförde	HDW, modernized by Thyssen	June 1970	June 1972	July 1974
U16 (S195)	206A	Eckernförde	TNSW, modernized by HDW	November 1970	August 1972	November 1973
U17(S196)	206A	Eckernförde	HDW, modernized by HDW	October 1970	October 1972	November 1973
U18 (S197)	206A	Eckernförde	TNSW, modernized by HDW	April 1971	October 1972	December 1973
U22 (S171)	206A	Eckernförde	TNSW, modernized by Thyssen	November 1971	March 1973	July 1974
U23 (S172)	206A	Eckernförde	TNSW, modernized by Thyssen	March 1972	May 1973	May 1975
U24 (S173)	206A	Eckernförde	TNSW, modernized by Thyssen	March 1972	June 1973	October 1974
U25 (S174)	206A	Eckernförde	HDW, modernized by HDW	July 1971	May 1973	May 1974
U26 (S175)	206A	Eckernförde	TNSW, modernized by Thyssen	July 1972	November 1973	March 1975
U28(S177)	206A	Eckernförde	TNSW, modernized by HDW	October 1972	January 1974	December 1974
U29 (S178)	206A	Eckernförde	HDW, modernized by HDW	January 1972	November 1973	November 1974
U30(S179)	206A	Eckernförde	TNSW, modernized by Thyssen	December 1972	April 1974	March 1975
U31 (S181)	Type 212A	Eckernförde	HDW	February 2000	March 2002	March 2004
U32 (S182)	Type 212A	Eckernförde	TNSW	January 2002	November 2003	May 2005
U33 (S183)	Type 212A	Eckernförde	HDW	October 2002	September 2004	January 2006
U34 (S184)	Type 212A	Eckernförde	TNSW	June 2003	May 2005	September 2006

Sources:
A.D. Baker III, "Combat Fleets of the World 2000-2001," Annapolis: U.S. Naval Institute, 2000.

Sources:
[1] "Submarine Forces," Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems online edition, http://juws.janes.com, 16 August 2003.
[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 Information and Learning Company, http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb.
[3] 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/pqdweb.
[4] 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/pqdweb.
[5] Joachim Brune, "Germany's strength beneath the waves," EN Vision Magazine, 2002, No. 2, pp. 28-31.
[6] Interview with Vice Admiral Hans Lissow, German Naval Chief of Staff, "Naval Chief of Staff security comments," Naval Forces, 2001, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 100-103; in ProQuest Information and Learning Company, http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb.

This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2008 by MIIS.