Germany Eyes Sub-Launched Joint Strike Missiles for Type 212CD Submarines
As part of its newly unveiled “Kurs Marine” strategic direction, the German Navy is preparing to strengthen its “Maritime Strike” capabilities — the ability to carry out covert land attacks from naval platforms. One of the clearest signals of this ambition is the potential arming of Germany’s advanced Type 212CD submarines with long-range guided missiles, something the service has lacked until now.
A recent report by Waldemar Geiger for Hartpunkt reveals that while the Kurs Marine strategy emphasizes the importance of rapidly expanding strike options for all suitable naval units — particularly submarines — it leaves open which weapon systems would be selected.
Why Sub-Launched Missiles Matter for Germany
Today, Germany’s submarines, unlike some American or Russian counterparts, lack vertical launch systems (VLS). That means any missile capability must be compatible with the boats’ 533mm torpedo tubes — a technical challenge since many modern cruise missiles are designed for VLS.
Historically, one option might have been the Torpedo Tube Launched (TTL) Tomahawk Block IV/V from the United States. However, production of the TTL variant was halted, and a Dutch Ministry of Defense document recently confirmed that no partner nations, including the US and UK, plan to revive it — primarily due to high costs and lack of international demand.
French options like the MdCN (Missile de Croisière Naval) or SM.40 Exocet are technically compatible, but unlikely politically and commercially. As Geiger notes, arming Germany’s domestically-built ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) submarines with French missiles could impact the global competitiveness of French submarines.
Enter the Joint Strike Missile – Submarine Launched (JSM-SL)
The most promising solution emerging for Germany — and other European navies — is the Joint Strike Missile – Submarine Launched (JSM-SL), a new variant of Norway’s successful JSM.
📌 What is the JSM?
The JSM is an advanced, stealthy, air-launched, precision-guided missile produced by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. It’s derived from the proven Naval Strike Missile (NSM) — an anti-ship missile already in service with several NATO countries.
-
Weight: 400 kg
-
Range: Over 350 km (air-launched); some sources estimate up to 560 km depending on launch profile and flight altitude
-
Warhead: High-explosive blast-fragmentation
-
Guidance: GPS/INS, Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker, and passive sensors
-
Stealth features: Low radar cross-section composite airframe, passive target acquisition, terrain-following capability
-
Mission profiles: Land-attack and anti-ship
Designed to defeat advanced integrated air defenses, the missile’s passive sensors and low observable design make it difficult to detect and intercept.
A Submarine-Launched Variant in the Works
In June 2025, the Dutch Ministry of Defense confirmed that the future Orka-class submarines would be armed with the JSM-SL, developed through a multinational European collaboration led by Spain. The program has reportedly attracted interest from Germany as well.
According to official Dutch defense documents:
-
The JSM-SL will be compatible with 533mm torpedo tubes.
-
It will retain the stealthy, precision land-attack and anti-ship capabilities of the air-launched variant.
-
An initial 18-month development phase is underway, with production readiness and procurement to follow.
-
Project management will be overseen by either OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d'Armement) or NSPA (NATO Support and Procurement Agency).
A notable factor in favor of the JSM-SL is that Germany’s military is already procuring:
-
The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) for its future frigates.
-
The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) for its F-35 fighter aircraft.
This logistical and operational synergy makes integrating a submarine-launched version both cost-effective and strategically coherent.
Technical Advantages for Germany’s Type 212CD Submarines
The upcoming Type 212CD submarines, jointly developed by Germany and Norway, will feature:
-
Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) using hydrogen fuel cells for ultra-quiet underwater endurance.
-
Stealth-optimized hull design
-
A combat system capable of handling complex multi-target scenarios.
Pairing these advanced submarines with the JSM-SL would:
-
Greatly enhance Germany’s covert land-attack and maritime strike capabilities.
-
Provide a credible deterrent and operational flexibility, allowing strikes against high-value targets deep inland or at sea, while remaining undetected.
Germany’s pivot toward arming its submarines with cruise missiles marks a significant evolution in its maritime doctrine. Given the impracticality of TTL Tomahawks and political reluctance toward French systems, the Joint Strike Missile – Submarine Launched stands out as a highly capable, future-ready, and politically viable solution.
Its compatibility with existing NATO missile families, stealth features, and land-attack versatility align perfectly with Germany’s “Kurs Marine” priorities, offering a practical path to modernizing the German Navy’s offensive capabilities beneath the waves.
