Germany optimistic on sub dispute

Germany’s defence minister said recently he was optimistic a dispute between Greece’s military and a German shipyard would be resolved, allowing an order for submarines to proceed.

Greece last year delayed receipt of the first of four Type 214 submarines, arguing its specifications had yet not been met. The submarine is still in Germany while complaints about listing in high seas and too much propeller noise are worked on.

“I’m very confident that we will find a positive outcome very soon, so that both sides will be satisfied,” Franz-Josef Jung said after meeting Greek Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis.

The submarine, developed by German shipyard Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH, was built in Kiel, Germany. But the other three are due to be build by Hellenic Shipyards SA, at Skaramangas near Athens, which is part of the German group ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems AG.