► Gabler secures trilateral submarine support contracts with Germany, Italy and Portugal
Lübeck, Germany – 10th December 2025 – Gabler, a leading manufacturer of submarine technologies, has expanded its European in-service support capabilities through a trilateral framework agreement covering German, Italian and Portuguese naval fleets.
The framework agreement was formally signed last week at the Liaison Office of Germany’s Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) in Lahnstein, near Koblenz.
It builds upon Gabler’s existing German Navy contract with BAAINBw, signed in June 2025, and now extends support services to the Italian Navy’s U212A-class submarines – expanding the partnership established in 2016 – and for the first time to the Portuguese Navy’s 209PN-class submarines.
“This comprehensive contract extension represents a strategic milestone for Gabler in Europe,” said Thorsten Klemann, Regional Sales & Contract Manager at Gabler, who led the contract negotiations. “Building on our nine-year partnership with the Italian Navy’s U212A fleet, we’re now extending that proven support model to include Portugal’s 209PN submarines. Combined with our German Navy contract signed earlier this year, we’re deepening our position as a trusted submarine support provider across multiple European NATO navies.”
The ceremonial signing was carried out by Captain Stefano Russo, Head of Italian Navy Liaison Office, Commander Pedro Alexandre da Silva Melo, Head of Submarine Common In-Service Support Portuguese Office, and Thorsten Klemann, Regional Sales & Contract Manager at Gabler.
Covering both the modern U212A air-independent propulsion submarines and the proven 209PN diesel-electric class, the agreements address multiple operational submarine platforms within a coordinated support structure, demonstrating Gabler’s commitment to reliable, long-term partnerships in the European naval sector.
