Greece is calling on Siemens Industrial Solutions and Services Group (I&S, Munich, Germany) along with Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft AG (HDW, Kiel, Germany) to equip three of the its class 209 submarines with a propulsion system that is independent of an outside air supply. The project covers the supply of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell modules and the electrical equipment for integration into the existing propulsion system, with delivery scheduled for between mid-2004 and 2010.
The contract also includes the supply of control cubicles of the fuel cell system (FCS), along with the control gear to integrate the FCS into the existing propulsion system, and material packages to modernize the existing electrical equipment.
A PEM fuel cell system provides the power for the submarines when running submerged and provides air-independent propulsion, an HDW development. Siemens is providing the fuel cell modules as well as the control and monitoring systems.
Modernization of the 25-year-old, class 209 submarines is intended to increase the submersed range to that of new ships. Earlier orders placed with Siemens both from Greece and also South Korea included the equipment for modern-class 214 submarines.
