Bundeswehr: Billion dollar project: Navy gets four more submarines

The Bundestag Budget Committee has given the green light for the procurement of four more modern U212 CD class submarines. With the votes of the Union and the FDP, the specialist politicians approved a draft resolution for the 4.7 billion euro armaments project started together with Norway and which is to be commissioned by the armaments company Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).

A total of 38 so-called 25 million templates for armaments projects for the navy, army and air force were on the table of the budget committee on Wednesday for decision. A total of around 21 billion euros was involved, of which around 7 billion euros came from the special fund for the Bundeswehr.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) also thanked the opposition – Union and FDP – for their approval. He referred to the threat from Russia under President Vladimir Putin: “We have to position ourselves in such a way that we continue to guarantee security despite Putin’s aggression and especially because of Putin’s aggression.”

After the end of the traffic light coalition and with a view to the new Bundestag elections planned for February 23rd, the necessary majorities seemed uncertain at times.

New submarines with improved sensors

Germany and Norway had already concluded a joint contract in 2021 to procure an initial six submarines of the new U212 CD class. Germany now wants to order four more and Norway two more.

The letters “CD” stand for the common design. This similar construction is intended to reduce costs and enable easy collaboration. The new submarines will be around 72 meters long. This makes them slightly longer than the existing German Class 212 A boats, of which the Navy currently has 6. The new submarines also have improved sensor technology and will be operated with 30 crew members.

Inspector: Decision significantly strengthens defense capability

The inspector of the navy, Jan Christian Kaack, spoke on Wednesday of a very good day for the submarine weapon and Germany’s security: “This decision significantly strengthens our defense capability on NATO’s northern flank. Greater ranges, improved sensors and for the first time also the possibility of using missiles from a submarine.”

Opposition parties emphasize shared responsibility

Union parliamentary group vice-president Johann Wadephul (CDU) said the decision was “very positive and important news for the navy and for us in the far north.” “The many reports about the threat to our undersea infrastructure and the threat posed by the impressive Russian submarine fleet, which has continued to modernize despite the war in Ukraine, show how important a modern submarine weapon is,” he explained.

The decision was made by a broad cross-party majority. Wadephul said: “This shows that in these times of a very tough election campaign, we are exempting questions of our defense and national security.”

The FDP defense budget officer Karsten Klein emphasized the shared responsibility for external security. The SPD defense budget officer Andreas Schwarz pointed out that 97 defense proposals for almost 60 billion euros had been approved this year. This is a “lived turning point”.