On October 7, the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) announced that the new lithium-ion battery system for the future Tipo 212 submarines of the Italian Navy has successfully passed its critical design review (CDR), marking an important milestone for next-generation energy solutions to equip the Navy’s upcoming submarines. The system was designed and developed by the country’s local industry, which already hosts one of the largest factories in Europe specifically dedicated to this work, positioning it among the main players capable of developing sustainable propulsion systems.
Official statements from OCCAR highlighted: “The CDR confirmed the maturity of the system’s design and its compliance with all mission requirements, paving the way for the next phases of the program: manufacturing, integration, and qualification (…) The evaluation results were formally approved by representatives from the Naval Armament Directorate, the Italian Navy General Staff, Fincantieri, and OCCAR, confirming full alignment among all stakeholders and clearing the path for the next steps in this strategic defense cooperation program.”
It is worth noting that the future Tipo 212 NFS submarines of the Italian Navy are on track to become the first of their kind in the West to be equipped with lithium battery systems, one of the multiple advanced technologies incorporated into their design. The goal of this program is to replace the lead-acid batteries currently used in European submarines, a target achieved through close collaboration between the manufacturer Fincantieri and the Italian Navy via NAVARM.
In this context, it is also important to mention that the new lithium-ion battery system had already passed a series of operational tests in December 2024 at the facilities of POWER4FUTURE Spa in Piedimonte San Germano. At that time, the Single String Converter (SSC) was connected directly to the module chain, allowing verification of the system’s operation in simulated real-world scenarios, particularly its performance during charging and full-capacity usage.
Finally, these advancements facilitated the Italian Navy’s decision to acquire a fourth submarine to expand its Tipo 212 NFS fleet, designed to replace the older Sauro-class submarines. Rome invested approximately €500 million in a contract covering both the construction and delivery of the new unit, as well as spare parts and technical support for the future.
*Images used for illustrative purposes
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