Global Economic Times

Italian Fincantieri and German TKMS Partner on Philippine Submarine Acquisition, Expected to Strengthen South China Sea Security: KO YONG-CHUL Reporter / Updated : 2025-04-17 21:11:46

Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri and German defense specialist thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) have officially announced the signing of an industrial cooperation agreement as part of a broad strategic partnership for the acquisition of submarines by the Philippine Navy. This initiative is being pursued under the Philippine Navy's "Horizon III military modernization initiative," with the specific goal of enhancing its ability to safeguard its territorial waters, particularly in the South China Sea.

The Philippine Navy anticipates that this submarine acquisition will enable it to secure advanced weapon systems and significantly improve its core maritime defense capabilities, especially amidst a complex geopolitical environment. Submarine forces are expected to play a crucial role in effectively monitoring vast sea areas and conducting covert operations in contingency situations, thereby safeguarding the Philippines' maritime sovereignty.

Through this collaboration, Fincantieri and TKMS will combine their accumulated technological expertise and cutting-edge technologies to provide the Philippine Navy with an optimized U212 NFS submarine solution. The U212 NFS submarines currently being built by Fincantieri in its Italian shipyards for the Italian Navy will integrate TKMS's core technologies and essential components, meeting the highest quality standards and stringent regulatory requirements. The two companies plan to jointly explore supporting the development of local infrastructure in the Philippines, as well as expanding the operational capabilities of the Philippine Navy fleet through this partnership.

The Italian and German Navies have maintained a long-standing and successful cooperative relationship in the development and operation of U212A-class submarines since 1996. Building on this enduring partnership, Fincantieri and TKMS intend to expand the scope of their collaboration beyond the Philippine submarine acquisition project to include potential joint export projects in the future.

The U212 NFS submarine is the latest evolution of the U212A HDW-class submarine, characterized by extremely low acoustic, magnetic, and visual signatures, ensuring exceptional stealth capabilities. Notably, the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, first introduced and proven in the U212A-class submarines, will also be integrated into the U212 NFS, offering the Philippine Navy significant strategic advantages. AIP technology allows submarines to conduct underwater operations for extended periods without surfacing, greatly enhancing survivability and operational endurance. Furthermore, with the use of non-magnetic Amanox steel and advanced stealth technologies, the U212 NFS-class submarines are known to be extremely difficult to detect.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, emphasized, "With over a decade of experience in submarine construction, Fincantieri has built solid expertise in providing high-performance naval solutions. This collaboration marks an important step in advancing our international strategy by leveraging cutting-edge technologies and the outstanding capabilities of Italy and Germany."

Oliver Burkhardt, CEO of TKMS, expressed his anticipation for the collaboration, stating, "Building on the successful cooperation in the Italian submarine program, this industrial cooperation agreement is an excellent starting point for further joint projects in the underwater sector."

Another significant feature of the U212 NFS submarine acquisition project is the comprehensive operational support package provided by the Italian Navy. This includes an unprecedented level of education and training, operational doctrine, and logistical support for the Philippine Navy. In particular, through specialized industrial and operational training activities, the Philippine Navy is expected to rapidly develop a skilled submarine operating personnel.

Furthermore, in the context of the Philippines' "Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act," this partnership will also support the development of new naval bases for the Philippine Navy. This is expected to be possible based on the design know-how accumulated by TKMS and Fincantieri through decades of shipbuilding experience and long-standing cooperation with navies worldwide.

This strategic collaboration between Fincantieri and TKMS marks a significant milestone for the Philippine Navy's submarine force acquisition and is expected to greatly contribute to strengthening the Philippines' maritime security, including in the South China Sea. The U212 NFS submarines, combining the technological prowess and experience of both companies, will provide the Philippine Navy with a powerful maritime deterrent and are anticipated to have a positive impact on the regional security environment in the future.