Eckernfoerde: The first two of the latest generation of submarines, powered by fuel cells, were commissioned by the navy at Eckernfoerde, Schleswig-Holstein, on Wednesday [19 October].
Defence Minister Peter Struck (SPD [Social Democratic Party of Germany]) referred to a "milestone in the transformation of the armed forces". The new boats, which are to operate in future not only in the North Sea and the Baltic, but also in the Mediterranean, are intended to meet the Bundeswehr's changed requirements and operational realities.
The 56-meter long Class 212A ships are equipped not only with the traditional diesel aggregate, but also with an ultramodern fuel cell motor, independent of outside air, enabling them to remain submerged and undetected in the zone of operation for several weeks. The first two submarines to go into service are U31 "Wittenberg" and U32 "Edenkoben", to be followed by two more over the next year.
The submarine with its fuel cell propulsion ranks is noted as the most modern submarine in the world.
The total cost of the four submarines is 1.4bn euros. This is the first time that the navy has put two submarines into service at the same time.
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