Enlarge / U-35 under construction at Kiel in 2013. The sub—like all the others in Germany’s fleet—is currently in for repairs. (credit: Bjoertvedt )
Germany has a submarine problem. During a test dive in October, the Deutsche Marine’s U-35 struck something (probably a rock) with one of its four “X-rudders,” the steering planes on its rear fins. The damage required the submarine to be towed back to a shipyard in Kiel for repairs—where it joined three other German navy submarines currently drydocked. The U-35 was the Deutsche Marine’s only working submarine prior to the collision. The remainder of the German submarine fleet is in port at the German naval base in Eckernförde—waiting for dry docks in Kiel to open up.
Germany has a total of six submarines, all of the Type 212 class. These “hybrid” subs—also operated by the Italian navy—are powered by a combination of a diesel engine and nine proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. They are among the quietest, most advanced non-nuclear submarines in the world. Because their fuel cells are “air independent propulsion” (AIP), these subs can operate submerged for weeks without surfacing. And since the PEM cell “engines” have no moving parts other than the electrically powered screws, they’re incredibly stealthy when submerged. They can also operate in waters as shallow as 17 meters deep (55 feet), making them ideal for patrolling the waters of the Baltic.
But because of backlogs in repairs and a series of unfortunate events, only two of the Type 212 class are not currently under repairs—and they are not ready for active service:
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