http://cns.miis.edu/research/submarines/germany/

Name (Number) Class Base Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned
U31 (S181) Type 212A Eckernförde HDW February 2000 March 2002 March 2004

The German Navy currently operates a flotilla of 14 submarines, which are based at Eckernförde. They are predominantly modernized Type 206A diesel-electric submarines, which were commissioned between 1974 and 1975. Four new Type 212A submarines have been ordered; as they are commissioned, beginning in 2004, older Type 205 and unmodernized Type 206 vessels will be sold. While plans originally called for a total of eight hybrid diesel-electric/fuel cell air independent propulsion (AIP) Type 212 vessels, in January 2004 the German Defense Ministry announced that no more submarines would be ordered though 2016.[1,2]

In the past, the German Navy operated within NATO to defend Northern Europe, focusing on the Baltic Sea in particular. Since Germany's sea lines of communication (SLOC) are chiefly located in the shallow waters of the littoral, its submarines were designed with the short range and low displacement necessary for coastal defense. During the past decade, however, the German Navy's objectives have expanded, resulting in an operating area that covers the littoral waters of Northern Europe, the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, and the SLOC of Germany's neighbors. To meet these demands, a new submarine class was needed that could operate in both the open sea and littoral waters.[3,4] The Type 212A has a range, diving depth and displacement exceeding that of its predecessor by a factor of two or more. The new class will also address other shortfalls by featuring improved communications systems and reconnaissance capabilities.[5]

The German Navy's main role, in conjunction with other NATO navies or as part of a UN force, is conflict prevention and crisis management.[3] More particularly, the navy is to enable and support land operations, and provide and protect military sea-lift. It is also interested in procuring land attack capabilities with precision weapons.[6] A German vice admiral has also mentioned anti-ballistic missile defense as a possible future maritime task.[4] Submarines are to play a significant role in anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, intelligence and reconnaissance tasks, as well as special operations support.[5] For example, German submarines patrolled Gibraltar with other NATO vessels in 2003 as part of the war against terrorism.