First steel cut for Italian Navy’s new U212 NFS submarine

December 16, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

The first steel cut ceremony for the fourth U212 Near Future Submarine (NFS 4) was held at Fincantieri’s Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia, marking a major milestone in the U212 NFS Program managed by the Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) on behalf of the Italian Navy.

This ceremony officially launches the construction of the fourth submarine within the U212 NFS Programme, alongside three units already under construction at the Muggiano shipyard. According to OCCAR, submarine construction represents one of the most challenging engineering endeavours, sharing more similarities with spacecraft manufacturing than with conventional shipbuilding.

Only a limited number of nations worldwide possess the capability to design and build submarines. With a legacy of more than 100 submarines constructed, the Muggiano shipyard continues to play a strategic and historical role in sustaining Italy’s underwater capability. OCCAR exercised the option for the fourth new-generation submarine related to the U212NFS program in July last year.

Fincantieri to build fourth U212NFS submarine for Italian Navy

Vessels

Compared to the previous U212A class, the U212 NFS class represents a significant step forward in terms of design maturity and system integration, reflecting a stronger national technological drive.

The program includes the development and integration of highly innovative, nationally developed prototype systems, most notably the lithium propulsion battery system and the new combat system to deliver enhanced stealth, energy efficiency and cyber resilience while managing a high level of technical complexity.