The modern Italian Navy (Marina Militare) operates no fewer than four submarines in its Todaro-class attack submarine fleet. These boats are based in the German Type 212 model series detailed elsewhere on this site, borrowing many of its features and capabilities as a result. The class is currently made up of lead-ship Salvatore Todaro (S-526) and sisters Scire (S-527), Pietro Venuti (S-528), and Romeo Romei (S-529). Two additional boats have been financed in the 2018 defense review.
As a class, the boats have been completed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) GmbH of Germany and Fincantieri SpA of Italy.
The boats are modest by American Navy standards, showcasing a crew of about 27 personnel. Dimensions include a running length of 183.8 feet, a beam of 22.3 feet and a draught of 21 feet. By design, the boats carry a non-nuclear "combination powerplant" made up of a marine diesel and an electric motor, each assigned to cover surface travel and submerged travel, respectively. This arrangement is made up of 1 x MTU-396 16V diesel unit with 1 x Siemens Permasyn Type FR6439-3900KW electric motor driving power to a single shaft at the stern. Achievable surfaced speeds reach 12 knots and submerged speeds reach up to 20 knots. Range is out to 8,000 nautical miles while the pressurized hull has been tested to depths of 820 feet.
With a full crew complement and onboard stores, the boat can remain on-station for up to twelve weeks.
Armament is centered on 6 x 533mm (21") standard torpedo tubes to counter the threat posed by both enemy submarines and surface combatants. Up to 24 naval mines are an optional weapon capability and useful in denying strategic waterways to the enemy. The vessels are also designed to fire a surface-to-air missile type specifically designed for the Type 212 boats.
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