The "Todaro"-class submarines are new cutting-edge underwater units operating in the Italian Navy.

The first vessel, Salvatore Todaro, entered into service on March 29, 2006 after intensive sea trials. The second boat of this class, Sciré, entered into service on February 19, 2007. Two additional Type 212A vessels were ordered in 2008 and are scheduled to be delivered to the Italian Navy in 2015 and 2016.

The Type 212A vessels are the result of an Italy and Germany joint program, based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Italian and German defense ministries on April 22, 1996.

The medium-sized Todaro-class submarines employ state-of-the-art technologies which allow advanced performances in many sectors including: stealth, signatures, electro-acoustic systems and torpedo firing.

Besides being extremely silent, the Todaro-class submarines are propelled by an innovative system producing electricity, heat and water: the fuel cells technology which combines hydrogen and oxygen.

The vessel is named after Commander Salvatore Todaro, Gold Medal of Military Valor awarded for his gallantry and courageous service in World War II. Today, he is still remembered as a legend: aviator, submariner, assault vehicles commander, protagonist of outstanding actions.

As Commander of submarines operating in the Atlantic, Cdr. Todaro sunk about 30,000 tons of enemy ships, standing out for his humanity and generosity towards the shipwrecked crewmembers. Cdr. Todaro, nicknamed Don Quixote of the Seas, died at La Galite (Tunisia) on December 14, 1942, during an air attack.

The first vessel bearing the same name was the De Cristofaro – class corvette AS Salvatore Todaro (F550), built at Ansaldo Shipyard in Livorno. Home-based in Augusta, the corvette operated from 1966 to 1994.

Submarine Todaro was laid down on July 3, 1999, launched on November 6, 2003 sponsored by Mrs. Graziella Marina Todaro, daughter of Commander Todaro, in the presence of Mr. Carlo Azeglio Ciampi -  then-President of the Italian Republic - and commissioned on March 29, 2006.

The motto of the submarine is: "Osare l'inosabile" (Dare the impossible)


The Crest

In the lower part of the Crest is the innovative silhouette of the submarine depicted below the boat’s name and the optical badge (S526).

The motto: "Osare l’inosabile," is inscribed in the lower part and is a tribute to the valour and the tradition expressed by the name of valorous Commander Todaro. The wave-like line in the middle symbolizes the sea and the submerged boat. The towered crown with rostra and the stars surmounting the crest refer to the military nature of the boat. The whole Crest is surrounded by a rope.