Pistorius to Dendias: “We hope for a good German offer” on U212 CD submarines, as TKMS says it has not yet submitted one

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius used a visit to Crete to promote the German-built Type 212 CD (U212 CD) submarine to Greece, but the manufacturer, TKMS, says it has not yet submitted an offer for new boats for the Hellenic Navy. The exchange took place at the joint press conference with Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias on October 14.

“We very much hope”

According to the German defence publication hartpunkt, Pistorius said: “We welcome your intention to procure new submarines and we very much hope that TKMS has submitted a good German offer.” He described the U212 CD as cutting-edge technology and stressed the added value it could bring to Greece, meaning the participation of Greek industry in the programme. He also acknowledged that no decision has been taken yet.

The German Ministry of Defence said on its WhatsApp channel that the two ministers discussed bilateral cooperation, continued support for Ukraine and joint armament programmes, including the possible Greek acquisition of 212 CD submarines.

Pistorius was in Crete for the NATO exercise SPARTAN ARROW 2026, in which the Bundeswehr trains with Sweden against air threats. The wider visit is covered in our report on the Dendias–Pistorius meeting at the Crete missile range.

TKMS: no offer yet

Asked by hartpunkt, TKMS said it has not yet submitted an offer for 212 CD submarines. It has so far submitted only a non-binding offer for the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of Greece’s existing Type 214 and Type 209 boats.

In April, TKMS and Skaramangas Shipyards agreed an exclusive cooperation for the mid-life upgrade of the four Type 214 submarines. The Hellenic Navy has operated German-designed submarines for decades, from the HDW Type 209 to the TKMS Type 214.

The competition

For the new-submarine programme, TKMS, with the U212 CD, is reportedly competing with France’s Naval Group and its Blacksword Barracuda. South Korea’s Hanwha has also presented the KSS-III in Greece, which we examined in our analysis of the KSS-III.

The U212 CD is being built for Germany and Norway, and Canada is a possible next customer. Pistorius has travelled to Canada three times as minister to promote the type.

A political discussion for now

Berlin wants to tie the new submarines to Greek industry. But without a submitted offer, the discussion remains at the political level.

Source: hartpunkt.