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Greek Navy Launches HDW Fuel Cell Submarine

May 13, 2004 by Jeff Shepard

Under the name Papanikolis, the first Greek fuel cell submarine for export from Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW, Kiel, Germany) was launched in Kiel. The submarine, with the construction number 361, is a 214 Class submarine and has been built for the Greek Navy. The HDW group is building a total of four of these submarines for the Greek Navy. The submarines are scheduled for delivery between 2005 and 2010.

The 214 Class of submarines is based on the construction principles of the 209 Class submarine. It incorporates an air-independent fuel cell propulsion system, which provides increased underwater endurance. The minimized acoustic, thermal and magnetic signatures of the submarine provide an unbeatable degree of undetectability, as well as increases in diving depth and overall efficiency.

The propulsion is provided by a Siemens Permasyn engine, which draws its power supply either from the fuel cells or from batteries which are fed by a diesel generator. The principal tasks of the vessel are reconnaissance, interception and surveillance. The Greek Navy is the first foreign navy to order fuel cell submarines from HDW. It now possesses eight of these vessels. Three of these are scheduled to be refitted at Hellenic Shipyards with a fuel cell propulsion system.