Avio is to design and manufacture two autopilot systems for the second series of the Italian Navy’s U212 A submarines under a contract awarded by Fincantieri Company.

Under the €6m ($8.1m) contract, Avio will supply two U212 autopilot systems and modernisation to the previous version.

The Italian Navy will receive the first U212A submarine in 2015 while the second submarine will be delivered in 2016.

The first autopilot system is scheduled to be delivered in March 2013, and the second by 2014.

Both the autopilot systems will then be sent to the shipyard test sessions.

The 56m-long and 7m-wide U212A submarine has a full load displacement of 1,800t, crew capacity of 27 and a maximum cruising speed of 20kt.