Portuguese Navy Commissions Second Class 209PN Submarine

The Portuguese Navy has accepted and commissioned the second Class 209PN submarine, NRP Arpao, at the Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft shipyard in Kiel, Germany.

The new submarine, which was built by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, combines the design principles of the Class 209 family with the features of Class 214.

The 68m-long vessel has a displacement capacity of 1,840t, can accommodate a crew of 32 and is equipped with an air-independent fuel cell propulsion system.

The ultra-modern sensors and an integrated command and weapon control system allows the submarine to perform future reconnaissance and surveillance tasks.

The Portuguese State had signed a contract for two Class 209PN submarines in 2004.