THE U209PN=U214 PORTUGUESE LAUNCHED

Launching of the First Class 209PN Submarine for the Portuguese Navy in Kiel
	(Source: ThyssenKrupp; issued July 15, 2008)
	Tridente, the first of two Type 209-class submarines ordered by Portugal, seen prior to its launch in Kiel. (ThyssenKrupp photo) On 15th July 2008, the first of two Class 209PN submarines for the Portuguese Navy was launched at Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft – a company of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems – in Kiel. The submarine was named N.R.P. TRIDENTE by Dr. Alda Taborda, wife of the President of the Portuguese Parliament Dr. Jaima Gama. The new submarine has a combined diesel-electric and fuel cell propulsion system. Equipped with ultra-modern sensors and an integrated Command and Weapon Control System, it is optimally suited to its future reconnaissance and surveillance tasks. The contract for the two submarines was signed in 2004 between the Portuguese State and the German Submarine Consortium (GSC), consisting of Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, Nordseewerke in Emden and MAN Ferrostaal in Essen.