The Neptune II Program

The most significant of the upgrades to be performed on the three (3) Type 209 HN Submarines, entails the installation of the new and modern Fuel Cell Section.

The Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) is one of the recent innovations that have captured the attention and won the admiration of the submarine world. After lengthy studies and discussions it is now the accepted wisdom that the fuel cell systems are the ideal solution for air independent propulsion of conventional (i.e. non-nuclear) submarines. The main reason is that they meet the highest demands in terms of ensuring both an extremely efficient energy conversion and the lowest possible signatures.

Repair works on the first of the three (3) type 209 Hellenic Navy Submarines to be modernized started in November 2004.