Comments: The oldest SSKs in the Swedish Navy. Nacken was the trial submarine for the Sterling engine AIP system, which will be incorporated in the Gotland class.
Netherlands
The Dutch enjoy an outstanding submarine tradition, with particular pride in the numerous enemy sinkings to their credit during World War II. In fact, during the early days of 1942 in the Pacific, the tiny Dutch force actually sank more ships than the entire U.S. sub force. Today the Dutch have an excellent fleet of SSKs and are aggressively trying to market them overseas.
Class name: Walrus
Producer (country/manufacturer): Netherlands/Rotterdamse Droogdok Maatschaooij
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 2,450/2,800
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 222.2/67.7 Beam: 27.6/8.4 Draft: 23/7
Armament: Four 533mm torpedo tubes with 20 weapons
Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 5-bladed screw; 5,430 SHP
Speed (knots): 21 (submerged)
Number in class: 1 + 3
Users: Netherlands
Comments: A really nice little class of SSK, the Walrus-class boats have a good balance of weapons, sensors, and endurance. The lead boat of the class suffered a fire during building and was delayed in delivery.
Germany
Of all the nations on earth, none has a stronger submarine combat tradition than Germany. Twice in this century the German U-boat fleets have driven England to the brink of starvation and defeat. Today, though, the U- boats of the modern German Navy are a much more modest force, though they probably reflect the missions they would be required to execute better than their counterparts from the two world wars. The new generation of U- boats are tailored to the coastal waters of the Baltic, with endurance and weapons loads to match. The German boats have proven to be a great success, particularly in export sales. In fact the Type 209 has actually outsold the Russian Kilo class in exports, making it the Volkswagen of conventional submarines. Their newest boats, the Type 212s, are capable of being equipped with a liquid oxygen/hydrogen fuel cell AIP system.
Class name: Type 212
Producer (country/manufacturer): Germany/ Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, Thysseen Nordseewerke
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 1,200/1,800
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 167.8/51 Beam: 22.6/6.9 Draft: 21/6.4
Armament: Six 533mm torpedo tubes with [?] 18 weapons
Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 7-bladed screw;? SHP; fuel cell AIP system to be installed
Speed (knots): [?] 20 (submerged)
Number in class: 0 + 12
Users: Germany
Comments: The newest of the German U-boats. These boats will be equipped with a fuel cell AIP system, though defense cuts could severely affect construction.
Class name: Type 206/206A
Producer (country/manufacturer): Germany/Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, Rheinstahl Nordsee- werke
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 450/520
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 159.4/48.6 Beam: 15.4/4.7 Draft: 14.1/4.3
Armament: Eight 533mm torpedo tubes with 16 weapons
Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 7-bladed screw; 2,300 SHP
Speed (knots): 17 (submerged)
Number in class: 18
Users: Germany
Comments: Type 206As are modified with the Atlas Electronic CSU 83 integrated sonar suite and the accompanying SLW 83 integrated combat system. Propulsion plant, navigation, and accommodations have also been upgraded.
Class name: Type 205
Producer (country/manufacturer): Germany/Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 419/455
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 142.7/43.5 Beam: 15.1/4.6 Draft: 12.5/3.8Armament: Eight 533mm torpedo tubes with 8 weapons
Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 7-bladed screw; 2,300 SHP
Speed (knots): 17 (submerged)
Number in class: 5
Users: Germany, Denmark
Comments: An earlier version of the Type 206, these units will probably be sold or retired in the current round of German defense cuts.
Class name: Type 209 (1100, 1200, 1300, 1400 variants)
Producer (country/manufacturer): Germany, Turkey, Brazil, South Korea/various shipyards
Displacement (surfaced/submerged): 1,207-1,586 (submerged)
Dimensions (ft/m): Length: 177.4/54.1-200.7/61.2 Beam: 20.5/6.3 Draft: 18/5.5
Armament: Eight 533mm torpedo tubes with 14 weapons
Machinery: Diesel-electric drive with one 7-bladed screw; 5,000 SHP
Speed (knots): 22 (submerged)
Number in class: 34 + 15
Users: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Greece, Indonesia, South Korea, Peru, Turkey, Venezuela
Comments: The Type 209 variants differ predominantly in length and displacement, although the sensor, combat, and other electronics fits will also vary depending on when the particular unit was built. Even though the design is over twenty years old, the Type 209 is still being built for customers today, and is the most successful submarine design outside of Russia and the United States.
