wo submarines for the Italian Navy are on their way, plus an option for two more (for a total of four), supplied by Fincantieri, which will provide not only the logistic support but also the training centre.
These new submarines will be U212 NFSs which, benefiting from advanced lithium-ion battery technology, will guarantee longer submarine navigation as well as further performance improvements in terms of efficiency. The Italian shipyard has been awarded the EUR 1.35 billion contract, being the only economic operator able to meet the requirements of the programme, thus taking a fundamental step in upgrading the Italian military fleet. According to the 2020-2022 multiannual planning document released last October, the cost of the entire programme would amount to EUR 2.68 billion and will take effect from 2027. The latter is the indicative delivery date for the first submarine, while the latter is scheduled for 2028. In addition to the external modifications to the hull, what makes the project beyond the state of the art is the innovative power supply system using lithium batteries produced in Italy by Italian industries. In fact, the Ministry of Defence has invested in a new generation lithium-iron-phosphate (Lfp) energy storage system, which will be integrated by Fincantieri and supplied by the FAAM brand of Italian company FiB S.p.A.
FONTE: Libero Quotidiano, edizione 21/12/2020, pag. 10