Fact Sheet

Italy Submarine Capabilities

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Italy Submarine Capabilities

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Capabilities at a Glance

The Italian Navy currently operates a submarine flotilla comprised of four improved Sauro-class vessels and four modern Type 212A Todaro-class units. The Italian Peninsula hosts several naval bases for the Italian Navy, such as La Spezia, as well as bases for NATO forces.1

Total Submarines in Fleet: 8

  • Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs): 0
  • Nuclear-Powered attack submarines (SSNs): 0
  • Diesel-electric attack submarines (SSKs): 8
  • Air-independent propulsion (AIP) enabled: 4/8

Submarines

Name (Number) Class Builder Commissioned
Salvatore Pelosi (S522) Sindhughosh Sevmash 2005
Giuliano Prini (S523) Sindhughosh Sevmash 2006
Primo Longobardo (S524) Sindhughosh Sevmash 2016
Gianfranco Gazzana Sindhughosh Sevmash 2016
Priaoggia (S525) Sindhughosh Sevmash 2005
Salvatore Todaro (S526) Sindhughosh Sevmash 2006
Scirè (S527) Sindhughosh Sevmash 2007
Pietro Venuti (S528) Sindhughosh Sevmash 2016
Romeo Romei (S529) Todaro Fincantieri 2017

History

Italy first developed the Sauro-class submarines in the 1970s as a tool to counter the underwater threat of the Soviet Union. Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri built these vessels in Monfalcone. In 2005, two of the original six submarines were retired and the remaining four—the Salvatore Pelosi (S522), Giuliano Prini (S523), Primo Longobardo (S524), and Gianfranco Gazzana Priaroggia (S525)—were upgraded. These upgrades included replacement of the acoustic sensors and weapons control system, improvements in the communications system, and extension of the service lines.2

Modernization and Current Capabilities

In cooperation with Germany’s HDW, Fincantieri built Italy’s four new Type 212A Todaro-class submarines. These vessels contain a fuel cell air-independent propulsion (AIP) system that is based on the Siemens PEM fuel cell technology.3 The first Type 212A vessel, Salvatore Todaro (S526), was commissioned in January 2005 and entered into service in May 2006.4 The second boat, Scirè (S527), was commissioned in January 2007 and entered into service in 2008.5 Two additional Type 212A vessels were ordered in August 2008. The third Todaro-class, the Pietro Venuti, was launched in October 2014 and entered into service in June 2016. The fourth, the Romeo Romei, was launched in July 2015 and started sea trials in mid-July 2015 and entered into service in May 2017.6

In July 2019, Fincantieri announced that it would build four more U-212 submarines under license from Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The first of these new vessels is set to enter into service in 2025, which will then allow Italy to retire its older Sauro-class submarines.7 Construction began in January 2022 as part of the U212 Near Future Submarines program.8

In 2024, the Italian navy announced its intent to add two more submarines to its fleet by 2036 and to produce a new class of submarine after 2040. The Italian navy will also develop a large displacement autonomous underwater vehicle (LDAUV).9

Ship Biographies

Sauro-Class

Italy possesses four improved Sauro-class submarines. The new Sauro-class vessels are between 64.4 and 66.4 meters long with a 6.8-meter-wide-beam and can travel up to 19 knots when submerged. They can remain submerged for about 45 days without surfacing. Their weapons systems are capable of firing torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.10

Todaro-Class (Type 212)

Italy possesses four Todaro-class diesel-electric submarines. These vessels are hybrid diesel‐electric/fuel cell submarines with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP). They are 55.9 meters long with a 7-meter-wide beam and can travel up to 20 knots when submerged. They can remain submerged for about 30 days without surfacing. Their weapons systems are capable of firing BlackShark torpedoes.11

Import and Export Behavior

Imports

Italy has traditionally constructed its own submarines. However, in 1996 the German and Italian defense ministries concluded a Memorandum of Understanding initiating cooperation in the construction of a new generation of submarines.12 Italy’s Fincantieri Shipyard is currently manufacturing Type 212A submarines based on designs from Germany’s Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW).

Exports

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri SpA carries out the bulk of the state’s naval constructions at the Muggiano and Riva Trigoso shipyards in Italy. The firm cooperates with Germany’s Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) to offer submarines with air-independent propulsion (AIP) technology.13 The two main vessels that Fincantieri offers for export are the Todaro-class (U212A) diesel-electric submarines and the S1000 vessel. The Todaro-class submarines are constructed as part of the German-Italian Submarine Programme.14 The S1000 vessels are the result of a 2005 joint venture with Russia’s Rubin Naval Design Bureau. These submarines are based on the Russian Amur SSK but feature Italian AIP technology.15 In 2013, Russia and Italy announced plans to upgrade the S1000 but in 2014 Italy indefinitely suspended this plan over the Russian government’s involvement in the Ukraine crisis.16 In 2017, the shipbuilder Fincantieri signed a deal with the Qatari government that includes a large helicopter carrier, called a Landing Platform Dock (LPD), four warships, two patrol boats, shore support, and assistance with a new offshore naval base. In February 2021, it was reported that a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed, which could include the delivery of submarines to the Arab Gulf country.17 This would make Qatar the first Gulf country to operate submarines.

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Chile Submarine Capabilities

Fact Sheet

Chile Submarine Capabilities

A highlight of global trends in the sale and acquisition of diesel- and nuclear-powered submarines by country with capabilities, imports and exports. (CNS)




Glossary

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a military alliance that was formed in 1949 to help deter the Soviet Union from attacking Europe. The Alliance is based on the North Atlantic Treaty, which was signed in Washington on 4 April 1949. The treaty originally created an alliance of 10 European and two North American independent states, but today NATO has 28 members who have committed to maintaining and developing their defense capabilities, to consulting on issues of mutual security concern, and to the principle of collective self-defense. NATO is also engaged in out-of-area security operations, most notably in Afghanistan, where Alliance forces operate alongside other non-NATO countries as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). For additional information, see NATO.
SSBN
Ship, Submersible, Ballistic, Nuclear: A hull classification for a submarine capable of launching a ballistic missile. The "N", or nuclear, refers to the ship's propulsion system. SSBN's are generally reserved for strategic vessels, as most submarine launched ballistic missiles carry nuclear payloads. A non-strategic vessel carries the designation SSN, or attack submarine.
Diesel-electric submarine (SSK)
Diesel-electric submarine: A submarine with a diesel-electric transmission. Diesel-electric transmissions require access to oxygen for the diesel generator to charge the submarine’s batteries or drive the motor. This type of submarine is thus louder and must surface more frequently than a nuclear-powered submarine. A diesel-electric submarine can fire conventional cruise missiles against land targets, and in theory, can also carry nuclear-tipped cruise missiles. Diesel-electric submarines are significantly cheaper to build and purchase than nuclear-powered vessels, which makes them the vessel of choice for smaller navies.
Air Independent Propulsion Technology (AIP)
Air Independent Propulsion Technology (AIP): A propulsion system that uses liquid (or compressed) oxygen or hydrogen fuel cells, thereby allowing submarines to stay submerged for longer periods without the need for external sources of oxygen. This increased endurance also increases a submarine’s survivability.

Sources

  1. “Post War Navy,” Marina Militare, accessed 2 August 2019, www.marina.difesa.it.
  2. “Submarine forces: Italy,” Jane’s Underwater Warfare Systems, 5 July 2011; “Piano di dismissioni Unita navali entro il 2025,” Marina Difesa, www.marina.difesa.it.
  3. “Submarine forces: Italy,” Jane’s Underwater Warfare Systems, 5 July 2011.
  4. Luca Peruzzi, “Italy takes delivery of first Type 212A submarine,” Jane’s Navy International, 1 May 2006.
  5. “U212, U214 Attack Submarines, Germany,” Naval-Technology, www.naval-technology.com.
  6. Marina Militare, “Romeo Romei (S529),” Ministero Della Difesa, 14 June 2018, marina.difesa.it.
  7. Tom Kington, “Italy Matches French Naval Tie-up with German Sub Partnership,” Defense News, 22 July 2019, www.defensenews.com.
  8. Norbert Neumann, “Near Future Submarines Built in the Italian Way,” Naval Technology, 24 January, 2022, www.naval-technology.com.
  9. Luca Peruzzi, “Italy Set to Increase Submarine Force, Develop New U212 NFS EVO,” Naval News, June 5, 2024, www.navalnews.com.
  10. “Italy,” IHS Jane’s Fighting Ships, 2017, ihsmarkit.com.
  11. “Italy,” IHS Jane’s Fighting Ships, 2017, ihsmarkit.com.
  12. “Naval Vessel: U212A,” Fincantieri, www.fincantieri.it.
  13. “Company Profile,” Fincantieri, www.fincantieri.com.
  14. “Naval Vessel: U212A,” Fincantieri, www.fincantieri.it; “Naval Vessel: S1000,” Fincantieri, www.fincantieri.it.
  15. “Russia, Italy Developing Joint Conventional Submarine,” ITAR-TASS, 16 December 2005; FBIS Document CEP20051216027020.
  16. “Russian-Italian Submarine Project Suspended,” Tass, 25 July 2014, www.tass.com.
  17. H.I. Sutton, “Qatar to Acquire Submarines in New Twist in Gulf States’ Big Naval Expansion,” Forbes, 4 February 2021, www.forbes.com.

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