Italian-German Submarines for the Philippines: Fincantieri and TKMS Propose U212 NFS for Horizon III
Strategic European naval alliance seeks to enhance Philippine maritime defense and deepen Indo-Pacific cooperation through advanced submarine capabilities.
Berlin, April 16, 2025 — Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri and German defense manufacturer thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) have signed an Industrial Cooperation Agreement aimed at supplying the Philippine Navy with next-generation submarines. The proposal centers on the U212 Near Future Submarine (NFS), a stealth-capable platform currently being developed for the Italian Navy.
This joint offer comes as part of the Philippines' Horizon III military modernization program, which prioritizes the development of undersea warfare capabilities to better protect the country’s vast maritime territory, particularly in light of persistent tensions in the South China Sea.
The U212 NFS, an evolution of the HDW U212A class, is at the forefront of European submarine technology. It features low acoustic and magnetic signatures, an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, and a hull built from Amanox non-magnetic steel, making it virtually undetectable. For the Philippine Navy, the acquisition of such a platform would constitute a transformative leap in regional deterrence and sea denial capabilities.
Europe's Naval Powerhouses Align
This agreement marks a new phase in the longstanding collaboration between Italy and Germany in submarine development, which began with the original U212A program in the 1990s. Both navies have since operated variants of the platform, and their respective defense industries have continued to innovate in parallel. The Fincantieri–tkMS proposal is among the clearest examples of European industrial cooperation aimed at expanding strategic influence beyond the continent.
Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, emphasized the continuity of this partnership:
“Building on our successful cooperation within the Italian submarine program, this Industrial Cooperation Agreement provides an excellent foundation for further joint projects in the underwater domain.”
Fincantieri’s CEO, Pierroberto Folgiero, echoed this strategic alignment:
“This cooperation is a key milestone in promoting our international export strategy, leveraging the latest cutting-edge Italian and German technologies and quality.”
U212 NFS-Based Submarines: Strategic Advantage for the Philippines
The introduction of a U212 NFS-based submarine fleet would offer the Philippines a decisive strategic asset, particularly for intelligence gathering, deterrence patrols, and special operations. The package proposed by Fincantieri and tkMS includes not only platforms and systems but also comprehensive transfer-of-know-how. This includes operational doctrine, logistics integration, and training facilitated by the Italian Navy.
Crucially, the partnership aligns with Manila’s recently launched Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act, which encourages international defense deals that bolster domestic infrastructure and human capital. As part of this vision, the European consortium proposes assistance in designing and constructing a dedicated naval base to support submarine operations — leveraging decades of shipbuilding and base development experience across NATO and partner navies.
Geopolitical and Industrial Implications for APAC and Europe
Beyond the Philippines, this offer underscores how European defense firms are repositioning in the global market amid rising geopolitical fragmentation. As U.S. shipyards reach capacity and Asia-Pacific navies race to modernize, partnerships like this one may help diversify the sources of high-end military technology in the region.
Moreover, for Fincantieri and tkMS, this project is part of a broader campaign to reassert European naval leadership in an increasingly multipolar security environment.
Großwald Editorial
