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The Tridente-class submarines, also designated as U 209PN, are diesel-electric submarines based on the Type 214 submarine developed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW) for the Portuguese Navy.
 Tridente-class profile
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 NRP Tridente at the Lisbon Naval Base
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | HDW |
| Operators |  Portuguese Navy |
| Preceded by | Albacora class |
| Planned | 3 |
| Completed | 2 |
| Cancelled | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Attack submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 67.7 m (222 ft 1 in) |
| Beam | 6.35 m (20 ft 10 in) |
| Draught | 6.6 m (21 ft 8 in) |
| Propulsion | Diesel-electric, fuel cell AIP, low noise skew back propeller |
| Speed |
|
| Range | 12,000 nmi (22,000 km; 14,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) |
| Endurance | 45 days |
| Test depth | superior to 300 m (984 ft) |
| Capacity | 14 |
| Complement |
|
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Armament |
|
This class of submarines was acquired by Portugal to replace the previous submarines of the Albacora class, then being operated by the navy. Originally, HDW proposed the Type 209 submarine (U-209) during the competition, but decided to later enter a new proposal based on the Type 214. It is for this reason that the Tridente class is commonly designated as the U 209PN.
The class and its ships are the first to not be named after marine animals, thus breaking a tradition retracing back to 1913, when the first submarine entered service with the Portuguese Navy.
Ships
editThe Tridente-class submarines are wrongly classed in the "diesel-electric" class. Their propulsion is exclusively electric, with electric motors powered by batteries. These batteries may be charged while submerged by "fuel-cells" (inverse electrolysis) for which, this submarine carries a huge supply of liquid oxygen and hydrogen. Also, and solely as a second solution for recharging the batteries, this submarine carries two powerful diesel-electric generators (1,000 KVA) for use only when surfaced, or at snorkel depth.
Submerged, from Lisbon, Portugal, submarines of the class may reach the Cape of Good Hope and return, in 15 days.
| Pennant | Name | Laid down | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S160 | NRP Tridente | 2005 | May 2010 | In service |
| S161 | NRP Arpão | 2005 | December 2010 | In service |
Image gallery
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Portuguese Navy submarine NRP Tridente at Naval Station Norfolk -
NRP Arpão at Lisbon Naval Base -
NRP Tridente under construction -
_arrives_at_Naval_Station_Norfolk.jpg)
External links
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- Tridente class Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine information at the Portuguese Navy website (in Portuguese)
- 209PN profile Archived 2010-11-11 at the Wayback Machine at the Portuguese Navy website (in Portuguese)
- Submarino de ataque (SSK) classe Tridente (tipo U-214) - Área Militar Archived 2009-05-25 at the Portuguese Web Archive (in Portuguese)
- Acquisition history of the U-209PN class Archived 2021-08-28 at the Wayback Machine (in Portuguese)
- Article about the differences between the U209, U212, U214 and U209PN Archived 2021-02-11 at the Wayback Machine (in Portuguese)