ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems has launched the first of the four Type 209 / 1400 submarines it is building for Egypt at the Kiel shipyard. For the first time, the German company has recognized the contract for the supply of four boats signed with the Egyptian government.
In August of the 2012 the contracts were announced by the Egyptian rear-admiral Osama Ahmed el-Gundi, but not by the Germans, for two 209 / 1400 submarines worth one billion euros. No other information has been issued on the next entry into service of the S-41.
At least twelve countries have the 209 class online. The suffix indicates the tonnage of the submarine. The 1400 version is in service with Turkey, Chile, Brazil, Greece and South Africa. the class Dolphin although highly modified it is based precisely on the 209 class.
The 209 / 1400 class has a crew of 30 elements and falls into the category of medium-light submarines. The hull is 62 meters long, wide 7,6 meters and high 5.8 meters. It can reach a maximum depth in immersion of 250 meters. Its maximum surface speed is ten knots. During the dive it can go up to 22 knots. Its navigation autonomy is 50 days. Highly automated, the integrated sensors of the Atlas Elektronik ISUS 90 manage the torpedo control system, such as navigation and support functions. The 209 is equipped with eight 533 mm tubes at the bow, with a full refill plus another six torpedoes stored in the launch room. The 1400 also have the ability to launch the UGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles. The Egyptian ones will have the ability to embark the Harpoon Block-II.
The submarine is equipped with a periscope from Carl Zeiss Optronics. It integrates an optronic sensor with a high definition color camera and a third generation thermal camera. The cameras are gyroscopically stabilized in elevation and azimuth. The observation takes place through a console that provides all the essential information for navigation and surveillance. The search sonar is the CSU-90 supplied by Atlas Elektronik, with active and passive detection systems around the hull. The 209 are powered by a single-shaft diesel-electric system based on four XUUMXMW 12V XUUMXMW MTU engines and four alternators connected to a Siemens 396MW.
All 209 can be converted with independent air propulsion. AIP systems allow the non-nuclear submarine to operate without the use of outside air. The advantages, at least conceptually, are many. While for the reactor of a nuclear submarine cooling liquid must be continuously pumped, generating a certain amount of detectable noise, the non-nuclear battery-powered boats with AIP system, would sail in silence.
(photo: ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems)
