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Submarine

Germany

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems

Type 214

A German export-oriented diesel-electric submarine derived from the Type 212A, fitted with fuel-cell air-independent propulsion and a deeper-diving welded steel hull for open-ocean operations. Operated by South Korea, Greece, Turkey and Portugal among other navies.

In service since 2005 · 5 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

400

m depth

12,000

nmi

1,860

crew

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

German export-licensed

BAFA licensing with strict end-use review; approvals can be politically constrained.

Channel: Direct commercial / G2G

Fielded & proven

Established · 5 operators

In service since 2005. Status: active · ~22 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Compatible munitions & weapons

Publicly reported weapons the Type 214 can carry. Linked items have a full spec page.

DM2A4 Seehecht heavyweight torpedo

UGM-84 Harpoon (select operators)

Full specifications

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Torpedo tubes Number of torpedo tubes (submarines and some surface ships).: 8

Stronger than 88% of submarines

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 65 m

Naval

Displacement, speed, endurance and diving depth.

Displacement Standard displacement in tonnes, the ship’s size class. Larger hulls carry more but cost more and are less agile.: 1,860 t
Submerged speed Maximum speed while submerged (submarines). Higher is faster underwater.: 20 kn

Stronger than 26% of submarines
Range Cruising range in nautical miles. Nuclear vessels are effectively unlimited (fuel-wise). Higher means more reach without replenishment.: 12,000 nmi

Stronger than 83% of submarines
Test depth Maximum rated diving depth (submarines). Deeper is harder to detect and engage. Actual crush depth is classified.: 400 m

Stronger than 76% of submarines
Complement Crew size. Fewer eases manning cost; more may indicate a larger, more capable platform.: 27
Propulsion plant Machinery type, nuclear reactor, gas turbine (COGAG), CODAG, diesel-electric, AIP.: Diesel-electric with PEM fuel-cell air-independent propulsion

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.: 22

Stronger than 86% of submarines
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 5

Stronger than 89% of submarines

Specifications compiled from public ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

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