Fincantieri commenced construction of the first of a new generation of submarines for the Italian Navy on February 27, 2026, at its Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia. The keel-laying ceremony marked a significant step in a program that will deliver four U212NFS (Near Future Submarine) vessels.
The program, managed by OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement), an international organization for cooperative defense programs, anticipates the first submarine delivery in 2029. This development underscores Italy’s commitment to modernizing its naval capabilities and maintaining a robust defense industrial base.
According to a company statement, the U212NFS class represents a substantial advancement over the previous U212A models. These new submarines will feature increased design maturity, a greater degree of domestically sourced technology, and improved integration of onboard systems.
Italian industry innovations, including a lithium-ion propulsion battery and a new combat system, are expected to enhance the stealth, endurance, efficiency, and cyber resilience of the vessels. The program is as well intended to preserve and enhance national industrial know-how, solidifying Fincantieri’s technological advantage and the role of the Muggiano shipyard, which has built over one hundred submarines throughout its history.
The construction of the fourth U212 NFS submarine (NFS 4) began with a “First Steel Cut” ceremony at the Muggiano shipyard on December 12, 2025, as reported by OCCAR. This milestone, alongside the three units already under construction, demonstrates a significant industrial capability and the Italian Navy’s sustained commitment to the program. Submarine construction is a complex engineering undertaking, often compared to spacecraft manufacturing, and only a limited number of nations possess the necessary expertise.
