thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has handed over the two ships to the Israeli Navy today. The SA`AR 6-class corvettes had been christened earlier. This means that all four ships ordered have now been delivered to the Israeli Navy. Due to the pandemic, today's ceremony took place on a small scale. In his speech to the guests at the ceremony and to the crews of the new ships, Managing Director Dr Alexander Orellano emphasised the good professional und personal relationship with the Israel Navy.

Dr Alexander Orellano: "In the six years from the signing of the contract until today, we have developed a superior ship together. We have discussed a lot with each other, sometimes even argued. In the end, we, client and contractor, together built a better ship than originally planned."

The SA'AR 6-class ships will form the backbone of the Israeli Navy for the next 30 years. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is building the ships in a joint venture with German Naval Yards Kiel. Vice Admiral Eliyahu Sharvit arrived from Israel for the naming and handover ceremony. The Israeli navy commander-in-chief is pleased with his new ships, as he expressed in his speech: "I thank you for your tremendous effort invested in this combined project to ensure its extraordinary success."

The contract for the delivery of four SA'AR 6 corvettes was signed in May 2015.

After the design phase, the construction phase began with the ship's steel cuting ceremony in February 2018. Just 15 months after the first steel was cut, the ship undocked. In May 2019, the "INS Magen" as first of class received her name in Kiel and was handed over in November 2020. The second ship, "INS Oz" followed in May 2021. Today, with “INS Atzmaut” and “INS Nitzachon” the order was completed.

The ships will be equipped with radar and weapon systems by the Israeli Navy after their arrival in their homeport.

Principal dimensions of the SA'AR 6 corvettes

• Length: approx. 90 metres

• Beam: approx. 13 metres

• Displacement (full load): approx. 1,900 tonnes

thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has officially been commissioned to build six identical Type 212CD submarines. The procurement organizations of Norway and Germany signed the corresponding contracts today. Due to the pandemic situation, the ceremony took place on a small scale and virtually; the customers were connected via video conference in Kiel. After the event, CEO Dr. Rolf Wirtz said: “The 212CD order is a major milestone. The Norwegian and German navies are getting the most modern submarines in the world, international and industrial teamwork will permanently shape cooperation in the maritime sector, and we have created capacity utilization for our company. Today is a good day for our employees and for thyssenkrupp!”

Worth approx. 5,5 billion Euro, the order comprises the delivery of two submarines to the German Navy and four to the Norwegian Navy.

Only yesterday, on 7 July, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and its Norwegian industrial partner Kongsberg signed a cooperation agreement. Industrial cooperation between Germany and Norway is a cornerstone of the 212CD project – thyssenkrupp Marine Systems relies on the Norwegian company Kongsberg for this project and for other projects on the world market. After signing the contract with Kongsberg on 7 July 2021, CFO Paul Glaser commented: “With Kongsberg, we have a strong partner with whom we will continue to realize many projects together in the future. The contract with Kongsberg is by far the largest part of the 212CD project – a sign of how close the connection between Norway and Germany really is.”

Norway and Germany had already entered into a cooperation in 2017 that goes beyond the construction of six new HDW Type 212CD submarines, as a new generation of the Type 212A. The design of the Type 212A submarine, which has proven itself in service with the German and Italian navies, will be further developed with the integration of advanced technologies to expand the U212 family in Europe. This project is another important step towards deepening and expanding European cooperation in the field of defence.

Construction of the first boat will begin in 2023. Delivery of the first submarine for the Norwegian Navy is expected for 2029, while delivery of the two boats for the German Navy is scheduled for 2032 and 2034. In preparation for the order, thyssenkrupp has already initiated investments of around €250 million in 2019. The aim is to further develop thyssenkrupp Marine Systems at the Kiel location into an international centre of competence for the construction of conventional submarines. Construction of a new shipbuilding hall has already begun, and progress is clearly visible at the shipyard site. With the order now placed in the Norwegian-German strategic cooperation project U212CD, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems will consolidate its partnership with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA), which has already existed since 2017, and expand its value-adding industrial partnerships in Norway and Germany.

212CD | Submarine design – Main data

• Displacement (surface): ~ 2,500 m³

• Length overall: ~ 73 m

• Beam: ~ 10 m

• Height: ~ 13 m

thyssenkrupp Marine Systems today officially handed over the fourth 209/1400mod class submarine, named “S44”, to the Navy of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Following the strict corona prevention measures at the shipyard, the handover took place in Kiel.

Dr. Rolf Wirtz, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems: „I would like to thank everyone involved for the open dialogue and the trusting cooperation. The success would not have been possible without the professionalism and competence of our employees, customers and suppliers. The handover of the fourth and last HDW Class 209/1400mod submarine in the project means, that our Egyptian colleagues will return home. We wish them all the best for the future and hope to welcome them back at our shipyard for further projects soon.”

The contract for the delivery of the first two 209/1400 mod class submarines to the Arab Republic of Egypt was signed in 2011. In 2015, Egypt decided to take the option for two additional units. The first submarine was handed over in December 2016, the second in August 2017 and the third in April 2020. All four submarines will enhance Egypt’s defense capabilities and combat efficiency, achieve maritime security, and protect Egyptian coasts as well as the economic interests between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

About „S44“: In September 2020, the “S44” was named and launched at the shipyard of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems in Kiel. The submarine is extremely reliable, can stay submerged for a long time, is fast, and hard to locate thanks to their low signatures.

Key data:

• Length: approx. 62 m

• Diameter: approx. 6.2 m

• Displacement (surface): approx. 1,450 t

• Displacement (submerged) approx. 1,600 t

• Crew: 30